Indiana e-bike regulations
Indiana law (IC 9-13-2-49.2 and IC 9-21-11-13.1) defines and regulates Class 1, 2, and 3 electric bicycles, treating them generally as bicycles rather than motor vehicles, with age and helmet restrictions on Class 3 e-bikes.
Overview
Indiana regulates electric bicycles under its state vehicle code. Statewide statutes below set the baseline for every county, city and school district in Indiana. 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.
Indiana statutes
Definition of Electric Bicycle
IC 9-13-2-49.2
Defines 'electric bicycle' as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, further classified into Class 1, 2, and 3.
"Electric bicycle" means a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty (750) watts, classified as a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 electric bicycle.Justia / Indiana CodeClass 3 Electric Bicycle Definition
IC 9-13-2-26.8
Defines a Class 3 electric bicycle as one equipped with a motor that ceases assistance at 28 mph, requiring a speedometer.
"Class 3 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight (28) miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer.Justia / Indiana CodeElectric Bicycles; Rights and Duties; Restrictions
IC 9-21-11-13.1
An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle; riders generally have the rights and duties of bicycle operators. Sets minimum age of 15 for Class 3 e-bikes, helmet requirement for riders under 18 on Class 3 e-bikes, and allows local units to further regulate or prohibit e-bike use on paths.
Sec. 13.1. (a) An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle (as defined in IC 9-13-2-105). (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an operator of an electric bicycle is: (1) subject to all of the duties; and (2) entitled to all of the rights and privileges; of a bicycle operator. (c) A person less than fifteen (15) years of age may not operate a Class 3 electric bicycle, but may be a passenger. (d) A person operating or riding as a passenger on a Class 3 electric bicycle must wear a bicycle helmet if under eighteen. Local authorities may regulate the operation of electric bicycles on paths.FindLaw / Indiana Code
Indiana government links
Last verified 2026-09-07
Indiana meeting calendar (state, county & city)
September 2026
Showing Mon, Sep 21, 2026 — tap the day again for the whole month
Regular Commissioners Meeting
Tippecanoe County Board of Commissioners · County commission
Mon, Sep 21, 2026 · 10:00
County Office Building Tippecanoe Room, 20 N 3rd Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
Regular meeting per the recurring 1st and 3rd Monday of each month schedule at 10:00 AM.
Indiana meetings on e-bikes
No e-bike meetings recorded for this area yet.
Federal delegation
Todd Young
U.S. Senator • Republican
Jim Banks
U.S. Senator • Republican
State officials
Mike Braun
Governor of Indiana • Republican
200 W Washington St, Rm 206, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Lyndsay Quist
INDOT Commissioner
Michael Crider
State Senator, Chair - Senate Homeland Security and Transportation Committee • District 28 • Republican
200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204