06/18/2026
Hi there! We’ve been receiving more and more calls regarding folks zooming around on various motorized forms of personal transportation, so we thought we’d take a few minutes to go over the use of e-bikes, e-motos, and e-scooters, and the confusion around who can ride what, when, and where.
𝗨𝗣 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗘-𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘
Briefly, it’s a bicycle with fully operable pedals, an electric motor that does not exceed 1,000 watts, and tops out at 20-28 MPH - depending on the classification of the bike.
Oregon law defines three legal classes of electric bicycles:
🚲 Class 1 E-Bike 🚲
• Provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling
• Stops providing assistance at 20 MPH
• Riders under 16 years old are required to wear a helmet
• Protective headgear is always recommended (required for under 16)
• Minimum rider age is 16 years old
• Drops to age 14 on January 1, 2027
🚲 Class 2 E-Bike 🚲
• Can be propelled by the motor without pedaling
• Stops providing assistance at 20 MPH
• Protective headgear is always recommended
• Minimum rider age is 16 years old
🚲 Class 3 E-Bike 🚲
• Provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling
• Stops providing assistance at 28 MPH
• Must be equipped with a speedometer
• Protective headgear is always recommended
• Minimum rider age is 16 years old
* E-scooters are treated the same as a Class 1 E-bike under Oregon law.
⚠️ I𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 ⚠️
🚳 Electric dirt bikes, pocket bikes, and mini motorcycles are NOT legal to operate on highways, streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, or premises open to the public.
🚳 Electric dirt bikes, pocket bikes, and mini-motorcycles may only be operated on private property with the property owner’s permission.
🚳 Gas-assisted bicycles are NOT considered e-bikes in Oregon. They are classified as mopeds and are subject to different laws and requirements.
🚳 Sidewalks are for pedestrians. E-bikes of any class and e-scooters are prohibited on public sidewalks.
🚳 E-bike riders should use the bike lane whenever possible and travel in the same direction as traffic. Always watch for people walking, using mobility devices, or entering crosswalks.
⚠️ 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 ⚠️
E-bikes can travel much faster than traditional bicycles, which means crashes can result in more serious injuries. Wearing a properly fitted helmet greatly reduces the risk of serious head injuries and can save lives.
🚲 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗬 🚲
• Stay alert and avoid distractions
• Obey traffic laws and signals
• Use lights and reflective gear at night
• Watch for pedestrians and vehicles
• Ride at safe speeds, especially on shared paths
• Protective headgear is always recommended
We know that e-bikes and e-motos are becoming more and more popular, not just in Forest Grove but nationwide. Communities are still working out how to respond to their increasing prevalence on the road. We want to ensure that we balance the opportunity to utilize and enjoy the growing micromobility options while keeping the community safe.
Please help us by taking time to understand the laws, safety equipment, and riding rules that apply to your specific type of bike before purchasing or gifting.
Know what the bike is capable of in terms of speed, pedals/throttles, and remember that no one under age 16 may ride an e-bike.
Do you have questions about a specific ride, device, details, or just the whole micromobility thing?
Check out the official ODOT Micromobility Guide at:
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/forms/dmv/6619.pdf
https://www.forestgrove-or.gov/746/E-bikes-Scooters
