07/20/2026
🚲 **Electric-Assisted Bicycle Safety Reminder** 🚲
The Springfield Police Department wants to remind residents about the rules and safety requirements for electric-assisted bicycles. These bicycles can be a great way to enjoy our community, but riders must understand the laws and operate them safely.
Please take a moment to review the rules for electric-assisted bicycles, including classifications, speed limits, and where they are allowed to operate. Following these guidelines helps keep riders, pedestrians, and drivers safe.
This post is **not intended for debate** — our goal is simply to provide information and help everyone enjoy our streets and trails safely.
Thank you for doing your part to keep Springfield a safe place for everyone! 🚲
Electric-Assisted Bicycles:
"Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
"Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle without the rider pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
"Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
Key Rules:
- A person may operate an electric-assisted bicycle in the same manner as provided for operation of other bicycles, including but not limited to operation on the shoulder of a roadway, a bicycle lane, and a bicycle route, and operation without the motor engaged on a bikeway or bicycle trail.
- A person may operate a class 1 or class 2 electric-assisted bicycle with the motor engaged on a bicycle path, bicycle trail, or shared use path unless otherwise prohibited.
- A person may operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle or multiple mode electric-assisted bicycle with the motor engaged on a bicycle path, bicycle trail, or shared use path unless the local authority or state agency having jurisdiction over the bicycle path or trail prohibits the operation.
- A person under the age of 15 must not operate an electric-assisted bicycle.
-No person shall operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with (1) a lamp which emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and (2) a red reflector of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety which is visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A bicycle equipped with lamps that are visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from both the front and the rear is deemed to fully comply with this paragraph.