All You Need to Know About Ebike Regulations in Kansas
Kansas law related to ebikes is a patchwork of local ordinances, state statutes, and national standards. There is no master set of ebike laws — every city or town can choose the level of regulation they wish to adopt (or not adopt). That means ebike users have to look deeper into the ebike laws and regulations that are applicable to the area where they ride (and where they live) — something they may not want to do. And if you are an ebike manufacturer, retailer, or repair shop, you need to be ready to deal with all of the different ebike laws that apply to your business, depending on your location.
Because ebike laws vary so widely by location, knowing the ebike laws that apply to ebikes is important to (1) ebike users; and (2) ebike manufacturers, retailers, and repair shops. First, ebike users should know what laws apply to their ebike, so that they can operate the ebike within the bounds of the law. And if an ebike user is pulled over by a law enforcement officer for alleged violation of one of these ebike laws, it’s helpful for them to know whether or not they are in fact complying with the applicable ebike law . Ebike users don’t want to be subject to a fine for using their ebike on a local trail or path that is limited to walking and pedestrian uses only when there was no signage prohibiting the ebike user from using the trail, path, or road. Or, ebike users may want to you know whether they are required to do anything special to their ebike, such as adding a functional headlight and/or taillight, or registering their ebike with the county or city where they live.
Second, being aware of the ebike laws applicable in Kansas is important for ebike manufacturers, retailers, and repair shops. An ebike manufacturer will want to know what labeling is required on their ebikes, so that they will be in compliance with ebike laws applicable in Kansas. Similarly, an ebike retailer will want to know what kind of record keeping requirements they will be subject to so that they will be in compliance with ebike laws applicable in Kansas. And an ebike retailer and/or repair shop may want to know whether or not they need to notify the city or other governmental entity if they will be selling and/or providing repair services for ebikes.
What Is an Ebike Under Kansas Law?
Kansas law distinguishes between three different classes of ebikes. Under Kansas law, classes are defined as follows:
- (1) Class 1 – These are ebikes that are equipped with a motor to assist the rider only when pedaling. This category makes up a significant portion of the ebike market in the US. For this reason, the majority of municipalities across the state of Kansas have adopted the standard 2012 International Code Council definition.
- (2) Class 2 – These are ebikes that are equipped with a motor that may be used to propel the cycle whether or not the rider is pedaling. This category is used less often than the previous example as many states prohibit the use of these classes of ebikes on bike paths and areas where traditional bicycles are used. Any pedal-assist bicycle that has a maximum speed of less than 20 miles per hour is automatically categorized as a class 2 ebike.
- (3) Class 3 – These are ebikes that are equipped with a motor and provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling and shuts off automatically when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour. Although some municipalities do allow this classification of ebikes to be used places where traditional bicycles are permitted, many do not. Again, check with your local municipality.
There are other categories of bikes that many people use interchangeably with the above classifications, but technically are different classes of bikes. In particular, people tend to confuse mopeds or scooters with ebikes. A moped or scooter does not receive assistance from the bike’s pedals, unlike an ebike.
Minimum Age and License Requirements
In Kansas, there are specific age restrictions and licensing requirements related to operating various classes of eBikes. When it comes to categories of eBikes, though, the new law is similar to that of Missouri, in that there are three classes.
In the case of Class 1, there are no age restrictions at all for operators. You could be eight years old, ten, fifteen, twenty, or older – it does not matter, and there is no requirement for a license or permit.
For Class 2, a person of any age can operate the bike. But if the operator is under 16, he or she must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Like Class 1 and Class 2, there are no restrictions at all in terms of age for operating Class 3 eBikes. However, there are two other important safety factors to consider. Any operator under the age of 17 must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission with a label indicating compliance with ANSI Z90.4 or Snell B-75 standards, as well as a tinted eye-protection device if the bike possesses a speed assist feature of more than 35 miles per hour.
Helmet Use and Other Protective Gear
All classes of eBike riders in Kansas must comply to helmet and other requirements when using their bicycle for recreational or commuting purposes. Our local authorities and community bike shops have a vested interest in seeing the healthy habits of citizens incorporating exercise and regeneration of transportation fuel sources.
The age of the eBike Operator is an important designation to keep straight due to the varying laws, rules and regulations from municipality to municipality. Riders aged 16 and older are not required by Kansas law to wear a helmet while riding their eBike. However, helmets provide essential protection from head injury, even at lower speeds. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that eBike riders had a 28% lower risk of head injuries, a 47% lower risk of major head injuries, and a 31% lower risk of traumatic brain injuries than those who ride regular bicycles. eBike riders benefit most from the combination of an electric motor and the fresh air they receive naturally through their cycle’s increase in speed, so these improvements in head safety are significant.
Youth riding an eBike in Kansas must wear a helmet. The exact age is determined by your local municipality. In some locations, a youth as young as 6 years old must wear a helmet while riding their eBike. Some local municipalities require the helmet be approved by ASTM International, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Snell Memorial Foundation, or to be designated as meeting or exceeding United States Consumer Product Safety Standards for bicycle helmets, contained in Part 1203 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations. It is the responsibility of the adult guardian of the child riding the eBike to ensure this helmet compliance.
Although helmet requirements are not specified in the Kansas Uniform Act, there are agency rules and regulations that must be observed regarding the Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) and the Kansas Department of Revenue’s requirement for safety gear. Likewise, under State of Kansas regulations, motorized bicycles require operators and any passengers to wear a headset which conforms to the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Devices commonly classified in the electric bicycle category are capable of providing up to 3 levels of human powered motion assist, electric assist, and electric propulsion. Kansas law classifies an "electric bicycle" as a bicycle with an attached electric motor of less than 1 horsepower (750 watts) whose maximum speed when powered solely by the motor does not exceed 20 miles per hour on level ground. The bicycle must have fully operable pedals for the rider’s use and must be equipped with handlebars. Any outfitting of these devices that takes them beyond the standard classification of eBikes are simply "motorized bicycles" and are subject to differing laws, rules and requirements such as insurance, registration, and additional safety requirements.
Laws may vary between cities, counties, or towns, but generally the use of an eBike is allowed anywhere a standard bicycle is permitted to go. In many locations, any personal mobility device, such as a scooter, skateboard, or rollerblade, is subject to the same traffic laws as bicycles and are not considered motor vehicles. There may be restrictions on where a rider can operate a normal bicycle as well as an eBike. Generally speaking, equestrian, foot, ski, skate, and other activity-based traffic are prohibited on freeways.
Local municipalities issue their own ordinances, rules, and regulations regarding the use of bicycles, including eBikes; however, the ordinances, rules, and regulations issued by cities, towns, or counties concerning the operation of bicycles shall not be in conflict with the laws of the State of Kansas. The Kansas legislature intends that local governments have an interest in knowing how their citizens will utilize electric bicycles, and so they encourage local leadership to speak up if they plan to change their ordinances, rules, or regulations to fit their community’s needs and desires.
Permitted Locations for Ebikes
Electric bicycles are permitted on most bike lanes, roads, and trails in Kansas, including on highways, as long as they meet the weight and speed restrictions imposed by law. They may also be taken wherever bicycles are otherwise permitted, including on most sidewalks, provided that the rider either sounds a warning horn or bell or verbally warns pedestrians of their approach. Electric bicycles are not allowed on any type of trail specifically designed for horseback riding ("equestrian trails"). Specific statutes exclude several types of locations where electric bicycles are prohibited entirely. These include:
- Natural Parks
- Tribal Lands
- Interstate Highways
- State Parks, Reserves, and Forests
- Watersheds
- Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Land
- Railroads
- Certain Urban Centers
- Toll and Turnpike Roads, Except When Performing Road Work
It is illegal to operate a bicycle containing a motor whose peak power exceeds 1,000 Watts (about 1.3 horsepower) on any trail, roadway, or other place in Kansas, so long as the motor is operated without human pedaling assistance. Only bicycles using motors of 1,000 Watts or less may be used as e-bikes under Kansas law.
Regardless of what type of of bicycle, scooter, or electric bike you are operating, you may not ride in a "reckless" manner on Kansas roads. Reckless driving is defined as operating in a careless or imprudent manner that "endangers the person or property of another." Recklessness while driving any type of motor vehicle is illegal in Kansas, and can be punished through either criminal sanctions or administrative penalties from the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Force Limits and Speed Restrictions
Diving deeper into the regulations outlined in K.S.A 8-1498 , ebikes in Kansas come with some strict power and speed limitations. The classification of an ebike depends in part on the limits set for each type. An electric bicycle may not contain more than 1 brake horsepower and is required by statute to comply with all other requirements set forth in the limitations set for each category. K.S.A. 8-1498 (b) (1 – 3). The specific restrictions for each bike are listed as follows: Electric bicycles in class 1 and 2 are unrestricted to a top speed but are limited to a 20 mph speed assist while operating on public roadways in Kansas. The only restrictions on Class 3 electric bicycles is that the motor must disengage when the brakes are applied or otherwise deactivated. K.S.A. 8-1498 (c). The line between a class 2 and class 3 ebike is still a bit murky since the limit on classes 1 and 2 is to 20 mph with pedal assist. True speed E-bikes are typically actually class 3 ebikes and can accelerate to a higher speed due to the absence of pedal assist. There is a major difference in the motor and pedal assist on a Class 2 E and a Class 3 E bike. The pedaling efficiency on a true Class 3 E bike is very limited while on a Class 2 ebike the assist is generally much more substantial.
Equipment Requirements for Ebikes
All bicycles, including eBikes, must be equipped with working brakes on the front and rear wheels. A front headlight and a rear reflector or light that reflects red to the rear are also required. E-bikes are considered bicycles under Kansas law and therefore must conform to the same equipment standards.
All bicycles manufactured after December 31, 1977 must also be equipped with: A bicycle shall not be equipped, nor shall any person ride upon it, with a tire that makes a noise of more than 70 dbA when tested in accordance with the 1980 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) method for measurement of noise emitted by standing vehicles at idle exhaust noise levels.
If the bicycle is not equipped with a reflectorized tape, when ridden during hours of darkness as defined in K.S.A. 8-1458, the bicycle shall be equipped with a lamp which, when lighted, shall emit a beam of a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the bicycle.
Penalties for Ebike Violations
Failing to comply with the rules and regulations surrounding ebikes in Kansas can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Once a court makes a finding of guilt, the offender must be assessed for fines and costs and then the offender has not less than thirty days nor more than one year to pay said fines and costs.
If you were found guilty of a misdemeanor, you could face a maximum of six months in jail and a fine not to exceed $200. If you are facing felony charges, you may be fined $2,500 and serve up to five years in prison. Moreover, an owner who permits or does not prevent the unlawful driving, operating or use of a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric assistive bicycle will be guilty of a fine not exceeding $100.
You could also face civil penalties for failing to comply with Kansas Ebike Laws. Below you will find the language from the law that details the penalties:
- (1) First offense: $20;
- (2) second offense: $50;
- (3) third offense: $100;
- (4) fourth offense: Not more than $500;
- (5) subsequent offense: not to exceed $1,000.
In addition, the Kansas Department of Revenue has the right to suspend or revoke the privilege to operate the motor vehicle at the discretion of the department.
Recent Amendments and Future Changes
In the ever-evolving landscape of ebike regulations, both within Kansas and nationally, there have been some recent updates worth noting. In 2022, Kansas brought its laws in alignment with the three-class system for ebikes that has been adopted by at least 30 states as well as various federal agencies. This legislative change eased restrictions on Class 3 ebikes (those capable of speeds up to 28 mph) and helped facilitate the use of ebikes across a range of purposes, from recreational riding to commercial delivery work. Looking ahead, there’s potential for further integration of ebikes into the state’s transportation infrastructure. For example, ebike-friendly policies could include the provision of dedicating more bike lanes or trails to ebikes, creating incentives for business owners to implement ebikes into their operations, and establishing partnerships between bike-share services and local businesses or delivery companies to incorporate ebikes into their models. By doing so, Kansas can tap into the benefits of ebikes for public transit, logistics, and recreation purposes, while also promoting the use of this sustainable transportation method as an alternative to gas-powered vehicles.
Common Questions About Kansas Ebike Law
Do I need a license to ride an eBike in Kansas?
Currently, there is no law that requires you to possess a license to ride an eBike. However, it is wise to learn the rules of the road. If you plan to ride near motor vehicles, and in many cases if you plan to ride at all, we strongly suggest that you consider taking a safety course.
Are there places where I cannot ride an eBike?
Pursuant to K.S.A. 8-15,119, employers may designate certain locations where motor vehicles are prohibited. In addition, that statute’s prohibition against riding on a sidewalk is not applicable to motorized bicycles unless otherwise specified by the county or city where such a sidewalk is located .
What is the speed limit on Kansas bike paths?
In Kansas, there is no statewide law regarding speed limitations on bicycle paths. Rather, the local government has the authority to create and enforce regulations regarding speed on bicycle paths. For example, the City of Kansas City, Kansas, has codes that govern the use of bicycles, and these codes are relevant to riding eBikes. Kansas City, Kansas City Municipal Code § 12.74.090 provides that every bicycles operator shall observe a speed limit of no more than twenty miles per hour on any bikeway that is separated from street traffic. Additionally, it is against the law to operate a bicycle faster than is reasonable or prudent with regard to traffic and, in no event, faster than twenty five miles per hour.