Class 2 and/or 3 designation?
- Thread starter bones774
- Start date
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
A class 3 bike cannot legally have a throttle. That hasn't stopped sellers from selling them. Seems the stickers don't mean much, as many sellers offer whatever class sticker the buyer wants. If you need to know what a seller offers it's best to ask them. Major brands like Trek, Specialized, Giant and Pedego won't play fast and loose with the classes like some other sellers will.
Best of luck with your purchase.
Best of luck with your purchase.
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
its not that class three cant have a trottle but that the trottle cant take the bike about 20mph.
rich c
Well-Known Member
The law is specific, no throttle. The law is probably written like that so the enforcing agency doesn't have to do a speed test to verify what the top speed is on throttle only. There is no law describing a class 2/3 combo. Fast, loose, and wide open is how many on-line sellers do it. Like selling the eBike as a class 2, and then saying the controller can be reprogrammed for "private off-road use" for 30+ mph.
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
Actually class 3 cannot have a throttle in anyway.
(1) A “class 1 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(2) A “class 2 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) A “class 3 electric bicycle,” or “speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer.
There is no hybrid class 2/3.
just to clarify I am in NYS.
I can see what a mess these laws are, Lotsa confusion
e.g., EBR of Magnum metro= "
ELECTRIC BIKE CLASS:
Throttle on Demand (Class 2), Speed Pedelec (Class 3)
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
An e-bike cannot belong to two different classes at the same time. It is illegal if that happens.
Of course "law" is something greatly ignored nowadays.
Of course "law" is something greatly ignored nowadays.
AHicks
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
Because of that, and the fact so many of the laws are just plain stupid, from a practical standpoint you're going to need to be making an ass of yourself to get any attention from enforcement authorities.
Many of us are pretty comfortable with that concept, but there are others that must abide by the law to a "T". Depends on your level of paranoia.
Here in Florida, and in Utah (I think?), you can ride an e-bike anywhere you can ride a bicycle. They're the ones that have it right in my mind....
MartsEbike
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Dunstable
Yep, I don't live in the US (UK), but here the higher class will automatically apply. So even if you had a 250w bike, but then add a throttle, its now a "moped", it doesn't matter that your bike meets the lower spec in all other respects, you've added a feature from a higher Class and that's how the machine will be judged.
I would be wary about anything claiming otherwise.
you're stating what I am getting at. I'm not paranoid but some jobs are very sensitive and you need to follow the letter of the law or risk losing your job. I retired from a job like that.
You know like some state governors, politicians and mayors (sarcasm)
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
For some, abiding by the letter of the law is due to respect and ethics.
The American author and philosopher Aldo Leopold once said “Ethical behaviour is doing the right thing when no one else is watching—even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”
Some say they respect their fellows, therefore no matter what class ebike they ride it doesn't matter because they won't ride like a fool and endanger anyone.
The whole thing is a mess. I would rather see people work to change bad laws. I see many people riding class 2 and 3 ebikes on class 1 trails and paths and I haven't witnessed an accident yet. Most people ride respectfully. In 2020 ebikes have exploded where I ride and I ride rural PA. New regulations and enforcement are coming to every locale. I enjoyed more than 6 years flying under the radar, but the secret is out and everyone knows what an ebike is now. Our numbers are getting too big not to expect accidents and enforcement.
To future-proof myself and any ebike purchase I would buy an ebike that's legal everywhere I want to ride. In my county if caught riding an illegal ebike on public lands the charge is trespassing and the fine is more than $800. From what I understand in many places across the US they can even confiscate your bike. NYC has done that. For me, riding a legal ebike is just being pragmatic. I'm definitely not holier than thou. I spit on the sidewalk, jaywalk and drive over the speed limit at times. But! I don't want to pay that $800 fine.
The American author and philosopher Aldo Leopold once said “Ethical behaviour is doing the right thing when no one else is watching—even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”
Some say they respect their fellows, therefore no matter what class ebike they ride it doesn't matter because they won't ride like a fool and endanger anyone.
The whole thing is a mess. I would rather see people work to change bad laws. I see many people riding class 2 and 3 ebikes on class 1 trails and paths and I haven't witnessed an accident yet. Most people ride respectfully. In 2020 ebikes have exploded where I ride and I ride rural PA. New regulations and enforcement are coming to every locale. I enjoyed more than 6 years flying under the radar, but the secret is out and everyone knows what an ebike is now. Our numbers are getting too big not to expect accidents and enforcement.
To future-proof myself and any ebike purchase I would buy an ebike that's legal everywhere I want to ride. In my county if caught riding an illegal ebike on public lands the charge is trespassing and the fine is more than $800. From what I understand in many places across the US they can even confiscate your bike. NYC has done that. For me, riding a legal ebike is just being pragmatic. I'm definitely not holier than thou. I spit on the sidewalk, jaywalk and drive over the speed limit at times. But! I don't want to pay that $800 fine.
mogulskier
Active Member
That's my understanding. I wasn't aware it was illegal to manufacture an ebike with a throttle and still classify it as class 3 (PAS up to 28mph) and limiting throttle only (unassisted) to 20mph.
voidedwarranty
Well-Known Member
Only 2 weeks ago NYC law has changed and now all 3 classes are legal on bike lanes and any roads with a posted speed limit of 30mph or slower.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
In NYC only.
voidedwarranty
Well-Known Member
Yes. I said NYC. I was replying to a comment about NYC confiscating bikes.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
OK. I mean, e-bikes have been defined so strangely by NYC these are illegal outside the city.
voidedwarranty
Well-Known Member
Certainly true but back to what I believe Ahicks was saying, most places won't even look your way if you're respectful about it. NYC they were actively looking for it. The few cops I have brought it up to (nassau and suffolk county, NY) have all come back with the same basic answer. They are generally busy looking for more serious crimes and don't want to "waste their time".
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