Rhode Island e-bike regulations
Rhode Island regulates electric bicycles under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 31-19.7 (Electric Bicycles), enacted via 2024 H 7713 Substitute A, which adopts the standard three-tier class system (Class 1, 2, 3) and requires helmets for riders and passengers under age 21. R.I. Gen. Laws §31-1-3 (Types of Vehicles) contains the general vehicle definitions referenced by Title 31, and electric bicycles meeting the Chapter 31-19.7 classes are not treated as mopeds or motor vehicles requiring registration, licensing, or insurance. Prior bills (2023 S 0326, 2024 S 2829) proposed similar/earlier frameworks for regulating electric bicycles before the enacted 2024 law took effect.
Overview
Rhode Island statutes
Types of vehicles (general definitions)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-3
General definitional statute for Title 31 (Motor and Other Vehicles) classifying various vehicle types, including motor vehicles, mopeds, and motorized bicycles; used as the baseline definitional framework that Chapter 31-19.7 supplements for electric bicycles.
Rhode Island General Assembly - StatutesClasses of electric bicycles
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19.7-1
Establishes three classes of electric bicycles: Class 1 (pedal-assist, motor assistance ceases at 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle-actuated, assistance ceases at 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal-assist, assistance ceases at 28 mph, may require speedometer).
Rhode Island General Assembly - StatutesHelmets required on electric bicycle operators and passengers under age twenty-one (21)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19.7-3
Requires helmets for operators and passengers of electric bicycles who are under the age of 21.
Justia - Rhode Island General LawsAn Act Relating to Motor and Other Vehicles - Electric Bicycles
2024 -- H 7713 Substitute A (Chapter 172 of the 2024 Public Laws)
Enacted law creating Chapter 31-19.7 of the General Laws, establishing electric bicycle classifications, equipment requirements, and helmet requirements for riders under 21. Signed into law June 17, 2024.
Rhode Island General Assembly - Public LawsAn Act Relating to Motor and Other Vehicles - Regulation of Electric Bicycles
2023 -- S 0326
Proposed bill introduced by Senators Euer and Kallman to regulate electric bicycles; referred to Senate Judiciary. An earlier legislative attempt preceding the 2024 enacted framework.
Rhode Island General Assembly - Bill TextAn Act Relating to Motor and Other Vehicles - Electric Bicycles
2024 -- S 2829 Substitute A
Senate companion/related bill introduced by Senator Dawn M. Euer relating to electric bicycle regulation, referred to Senate Judiciary and the Dept. of Environmental Management.
Rhode Island General Assembly - Bill Text
Rhode Island government links
Last verified 2026-09-08
Rhode Island meeting calendar (state, county & city)
September 2026
Showing Wed, Sep 16, 2026 — tap the day again for the whole month
Town Council Meeting
Bristol Town Council · Public body
Wed, Sep 16, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Bristol Town Hall, 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Regular Town Council meeting listed on the Town's meetings portal.
Rhode Island meetings on e-bikes
No e-bike meetings recorded for this area yet.
Federal delegation
Jack Reed
U.S. Senator • Democratic
Sheldon Whitehouse
U.S. Senator • Democratic
State officials
Daniel J. McKee
Governor of Rhode Island • Democratic
Dawn M. Euer
State Senator (sponsor of electric bicycle legislation)
Dan McKee
Governor • Democratic
Robert Rocchio
Acting Director, RIDOT
V. Susan Sosnowski
Chair, Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee • Democratic