Hawaii e-bike regulations
Hawaii regulates electric bicycles under HRS Chapter 249 (registration/fees) and Chapter 291C (traffic rules), with a major statewide overhaul enacted via Act 259 (HB2021) in July 2026 creating consistent statewide e-bike safety rules and classification.
Overview
Hawaii regulates electric bicycles under its state vehicle code. Statewide statutes below set the baseline for every county, city and school district in Hawaii. Local governments may adopt stricter rules for trails, sidewalks, beaches and campus property.
What riders should know
- Confirm your bike's class (1, 2 or 3) — most rules key off class.
- Helmet and minimum age rules often differ by class and by locality.
- Trail, path and sidewalk access is frequently set at the county or city level.
Hawaii statutes
Bicycle Fee (including low-speed electric bicycles)
HRS §249-14
Requires two-wheeled bicycles 20 inches or more in diameter to be registered with a $15 permanent fee; low-speed electric bicycles as defined under 15 U.S.C. §2085 are subject to this registration requirement.
(a) Bicycles having two tandem wheels that are twenty inches or more in diameter are required to be registered and shall be subject to a permanent registration fee of $15, to be paid by the owners thereof to the director of finance. (b) A low-speed electric bicycle, as defined under title 15 United States Code section 2085, shall be subject to this section.Hawaii Revised StatutesTraffic Code Definitions Applicable to Bicycles and Electric Bicycles
HRS §291C-1
Defines terms used throughout Hawaii's statewide traffic code (Chapter 291C), including provisions governing bicycles, mopeds, and electric bicycles operating on public roadways.
As used in this chapter, definitions are provided for terms including bicycle, moped, electric bicycle, and related roadway terms governing the operation of such vehicles on Hawaii highways.Hawaii Revised StatutesAct 259 (HB2021 HD2 SD2 CD1) – Electric Bicycle and Micro-mobility Safety Law
Act 259, Session Laws of Hawaii 2026
Signed by Governor Josh Green on July 15, 2026, this law creates consistent statewide rules for electric bicycles and micro-mobility devices, including safety and regulatory measures intended to curb e-bike related injuries and deaths.
HB2021 HD2 SD2 CD1 (Act 259) creates consistent statewide rules for electric bicycles and micro-mobility devices in Hawaii, addressing classification and operational safety requirements statewide.Hawaii Department of Transportation
Hawaii government links
Last verified 2026-09-07
Hawaii meeting calendar (state, county & city)
October 2026
Showing Fri, Oct 2, 2026 — tap the day again for the whole month
Regular Council Meeting
Maui County Council · City council
Fri, Oct 2, 2026 · 09:00
Council Chamber, 8th Floor, Kalana O Maui Building, Wailuku, HI
Regular council meeting held on the first Friday of the month.
Hawaii meetings on e-bikes
No e-bike meetings recorded for this area yet.
Federal delegation
Brian Schatz
U.S. Senator • Democratic
722 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Mazie K. Hirono
U.S. Senator • Democratic
109 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Ed Case
U.S. Representative, Hawaii's 1st Congressional District • District HI-01 • Democratic
Jill Tokuda
U.S. Representative, Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District • District HI-02 • Democratic
State officials
Josh Green
Governor of Hawaii • Democratic
Executive Chambers, State Capitol, 415 South Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813
Lorraine R. Inouye
Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation • District Senate District 1 • Democratic
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 210, Honolulu, HI