08/01/2026
What happened to good old bicycles?
E-Bike Legislation: BEING ENFORCED
La. R.S. 32:1: The majority of this section contains definitions, which will not be restated. However, the definition of an electric-assisted bicycle (e-bike) is as follows: “Every bicycle upon which any person or persons, if the design accommodates passengers, may ride, having a saddle or seat for each rider, and having two tandem wheels, either of which is sixteen inches or more in diameter, or three wheels, any one of which is twenty inches or more in diameter, equipped with fully operable pedals, and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts that meets the requirement of one of the following classes”:
Class 1 is an e-bicycle equipped with an electric motor, which only propels the bike when the rider is pedaling, and does not provide assistance when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour. Class 2 may be used to completely propel the bike without pedaling and shuts off at 20 miles per hour as well. Class 3 provides assistance while the rider pedals, and stops propelling at 28 miles per hour.
La. R.S. 32:204: (A) All electric-assisted bicycles and the drivers of these bikes will be given the same rights and responsibilities as regular bicycles. An electric bike (e-bike) will be considered a vehicle in the same way that a regular bike is. (B) On and after August 1, 2020, manufacturers and distributors of e-bikes should apply a permanent label on a visible location to every e-bike. These labels will have the classification number, top-assisted speed, and motor wattage of the bike. (C) No person should modify an e-bike to change its class, unless the manufacturer’s label is replaced. (D) All e-bikes should comply with the requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. (E) E-bikes should operate so that the electric motor is either disengaged or no longer functioning when the brakes are applied, or when the rider stops pedaling. (F) Unless otherwise stated, an e-bike can be ridden in places where regular bikes are allowed, such as streets, highways, roads, bike facilities, bike lanes, shared-use trails, bike paths, and trails.
[1] A local authority, parish, or state agency which has jurisdiction over bicycle paths or trails may prohibit the use of class one or class two e-bikes on those trails. This is in the case that restrictions are necessary for safety or compliance with laws. [2] These authorities may prohibit the use of class three e-bikes in these spaces as well. [3] This subsection doesn’t apply to trails that are designed to be non-motorized.
(G) No person under the age of 12 should operate a class 3 e-bike. Children under the age of 12 may ride as passenger if the e-bike is designed for it, but must wear an approved bike helmet. (H) Anyone who rides on or operates a class 3 e-bike must wear an approved bike helmet. [1] “Approved helmet” has the same meaning here as it does in R.S. 32:199. [2] “The issuance of a citation for a violation of this Section shall not be prima facie evidence of negligence. The comparable negligence statutes of Louisiana shall apply in these cases.” [3] Any person who breaks these regulations and is convicted will be fined $50, including court costs. If the operator can show proof of purchasing an approved helmet, the fee shall be waived. (I) All class 3 e-bikes should have a speedometer installed that displays speed in miles per hour
