West Virginia e-bike regulations
West Virginia regulates electric bicycles under the Traffic Regulations and Laws of the Road chapter of the West Virginia Code. State law (W. Va. Code §17C-1-70, as amended by 2023 House Bill 2062) adopts the standard three-class system for e-bikes (motors under 750 watts), and §17C-11-8 sets requirements, exclusions, and age restrictions for their operation, generally treating e-bike riders like bicyclists with additional Class 3 restrictions. A 2024 bill (HB 5066) proposed further amending §17C-11-8 to prohibit using e-bikes to hunt wildlife but was not enacted. West Virginia does not require a license, registration, or insurance for e-bikes, and local governments and school districts largely defer to state code with limited local supplementation.
Overview
West Virginia statutes
Electric bicycles; definitions
W. Va. Code §17C-1-70
Defines 'electric bicycle' as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and establishes a three-class system: Class 1 (motor assists only while pedaling, ceases at 20 mph), Class 2 (motor can propel without pedaling, ceases at 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal-assist only, ceases at 28 mph, must have a speedometer). Amended by 2023 House Bill 2062.
West Virginia Code (via WV Legislature)Electric bicycles; requirements; exclusions; age restrictions
W. Va. Code §17C-11-8
Provides that operators of electric bicycles have the rights and duties of a vehicle driver except as otherwise provided; sets age and helmet-type restrictions for Class 3 e-bike operators, prohibits operation of Class 3 e-bikes by persons under 16 (with limited passenger exceptions), and excludes electric bicycles from vehicle registration, licensing, and insurance requirements applicable to motor vehicles. Amended by 2023 House Bill 2062.
West Virginia Code (via WV Legislature)Bicycle and electric bicycle path and lane use; local regulation
W. Va. Code §17C-11-9
Addresses use of paths, trails, and lanes by bicycles and electric bicycles and the authority of local authorities to regulate e-bike operation on paths and trails under their jurisdiction, including class-based access restrictions.
West Virginia Code (via WV Legislature)House Bill 2062 (2023) - E-bike regulation overhaul
2023 Reg. Sess. H.B. 2062
Enacted bill amending and reenacting §17C-1-70 and §17C-11-8 of the West Virginia Code relating to modifying e-bike regulations, including the three-class system and operational requirements. Passed February 27, 2023; effective 90 days from passage.
West Virginia LegislatureHouse Bill 5066 (2024) - Prohibit e-bike use for hunting wildlife
2024 Reg. Sess. H.B. 5066
Introduced bill by Delegate Burkhammer that would amend and reenact §17C-11-8 of the West Virginia Code to prohibit the use of electric bicycles ('e-bikes') for hunting wildlife in the state. Introduced January 24, 2024; referred to Agriculture and Natural Resources then Government Organization committees. Not enacted as of last check.
West Virginia Legislature
West Virginia government links
Last verified 2026-09-08
West Virginia meeting calendar (state, county & city)
September 2026
Showing Wed, Sep 9, 2026 — tap the day again for the whole month
Regular Commission Meeting
Monongalia County Commission · County commission
Wed, Sep 9, 2026 · 10:00
Monongalia County Courthouse, 243 High Street, Morgantown, WV
Weekly Wednesday commission meeting, followed by an informal work session.
West Virginia meetings on e-bikes
No e-bike meetings recorded for this area yet.
Federal delegation
Jim Justice
U.S. Senator • Republican
Shelley Moore Capito
U.S. Senator • Republican
State officials
Mark Maynard
Chair, Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee • Republican
Patrick Morrisey
Governor • Republican
Stephen Todd Rumbaugh
Secretary of Transportation / Commissioner of Highways