Maine Electric Bike Laws

Three-class law · State parks: Where bicycles allowed; natural-surface trails only if authorized

LD 1222 (Public Law 2019, chapter 349) adopted the three-class system in 2019, and Maine law counts an e-bike under 750 W as a bicycle with no license, registration or insurance required. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike, and every e-bike rider or passenger under 16 must wear a helmet.

E-bike classes
Three
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
16
E-bike helmet
Under 16
State parks
Where bicycles allowed; natural-surface trails only if authorized
Moped registration
Yes

By vehicle

Rules for E-Bikes, Stand-Up E-Scooters and Mopeds in Maine

Maine rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bike, Class 1Class 1, under 750 WNoneNoNoNoUnder 16No state rulePaths open to bicycles; natural-surface trails only if authorized
E-bike, Class 2Class 2, under 750 W16NoNoNoUnder 16No state rulePaths open to bicycles; natural-surface trails only if authorized
E-bike, Class 3Class 3, under 750 W16NoNoNoUnder 16No state ruleOnly if path manager authorizes
Stand-up e-scooterMotorized scooter: wheels under 10 in., electric up to 750 W, 25 mphLicense or permit holderYes, any class or permitNo, cannot registerNo state ruleNo state rule foundNo state ruleNo state rule
Seated e-scooter (moped)Moped: wheels 10 in.+, up to 50 cc or electric under 1,500 W16Yes, any classYesNoUnder 18 and new ridersNoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike, Class 1. Roads and bike paths unless path manager bans
  • E-bike, Class 2. Under 16 as passenger only
  • E-bike, Class 3. Roads; speedometer required; under 16 as passenger only
  • Stand-up e-scooter. Public ways like a bicycle; 20 mph max
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Public ways once registered

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

Permanent label showing class, top assisted speed and motor wattage; motor cutoff when brakes are applied, and when pedaling stops on Class 1 and 3; speedometer on Class 3; must meet federal CPSC bicycle standards.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Municipalities and path managers may ban Class 1 and 2 e-bikes from a bicycle path, may open a path to Class 3, and must authorize e-bikes before they use nonmotorized trails with significant natural surfaces. Towns may set bicycle riding rules by ordinance approved by the Departments of Public Safety and Transportation.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in Maine

State law bars e-bikes from nonmotorized natural-surface trails unless the managing agency authorizes them, which applies to Bureau of Parks and Lands trails. Baxter State Park, run by its own authority, bans e-bikes; Acadia National Park allows Class 1 only on its carriage roads.

Record

Sources

E-bike, Class 1
29-A §101(22-B), §2063(14); LD 1222 (2019)
E-bike, Class 2
29-A §2063(14)(H); LD 1222 (2019)
E-bike, Class 3
29-A §2063(14)(F)-(H); LD 1222 (2019)
Stand-up e-scooter
29-A §101(41-B), §2063(6); BMV guidance
Seated e-scooter (moped)
29-A §101(36); BMV guidance
Status
Partly verified
Open items
Bureau of Parks and Lands written e-bike policy not found; motorized scooter helmet, age and sidewalk rules not confirmed; moped insurance rule from secondary source only
Last verified
Q4 2026