Class 1 vs Class 2 vs Class 3 e-bikes: what each means, and which bikes we sell in each

Most US states sort electric bicycles into three classes, and the class decides where you can ride and whether a helmet or a minimum age applies. Underneath the state system is the federal definition of a low-speed electric bicycle: working pedals, a motor under 750 W, and less than 20 mph on motor power alone. Below is every bike on our floor mapped to the class its maker states. Where a maker does not state one, we say so; we do not assign a class from the numbers, because it is a legal claim, not a spec.

What do Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 actually mean?

Speed pedelec rules differ by state, and cities and trail managers layer their own rules on top. Our where you can actually ride guide goes through the state-by-state picture; this article is about which of our bikes lands where.

Which of our bikes are Class 1?

None. Every e-bike we sell ships with a throttle, which rules out Class 1 as delivered. Several Heybike models let you switch the bike to a lower class in the app (the Hybrid and Venus switch between Class 2 and 3), but no maker we carry sells a bike as Class 1.

Which of our bikes are Class 2?

Ten bikes, all with a throttle and a 20 mph ceiling as delivered.

Two notes. Macfox is the strictest of the three: 20 mph on throttle and assist alike, no unlock offered, UL 2849 certified on every bike, which is why our Macfox comparison never argues about speed. Freego's Shotgun bikes are sold as Class 2 but publish a 28 mph pedal-assist adjustment, which is a Class 3 speed; ride them at the setting your state allows. The Freego Flash F3 Pro Max is listed by Freego as Class 2 at 20 mph, but with two 750 W motors it sits above the 750 W federal bicycle ceiling, so we do not file it in this table and its product page says the same.

Which of our bikes are Class 3?

Five Heybike commuters, each rated to 28 mph on pedal assist with the throttle held to 20 mph.

The Saturn's 1,000 W rated hub is above the 750 W federal definition even though Heybike sells it as a Class 3 bike; the same caution as the Freego F3 Pro Max applies. Our Heybike vs Macfox guide is largely a Class 3 vs Class 2 comparison in practice.

Which of our bikes have no stated class?

Four commuters. The Heybike Alpha (500 W mid-drive, rated 28 mph), Heybike Cityscape 2.0 (500 W, no published top speed), Heybike Mars 2.5 (750 W, rated 28 mph) and Freego City Flow A1 (500 W, rated 28 mph) carry no class on their makers' spec sheets. Their numbers would suggest Class 3, but a class is a legal claim, so we leave the field blank on the product page and here. We have asked Freego for the A1's rating.

Why are electric dirt bikes not in any class?

Because they are not electric bicycles. The Heybike Villain (4,160 W peak, 45 mph), the Yozma IN 10 and IN 10 Pro, the Coswheel R6000 and R19, the Freego X, Nova and F3 Pro Max off-road modes, the 79BIKE, 78 Forged and Y-VOLT machines, and every MotoTec electric in our dirt bike collection either have no pedals, exceed 750 W, exceed 20 mph on the motor, or all three. They are off-road vehicles for private land, OHV parks and trails that allow them, and no class label makes them street legal. Our e-dirt speed guide and the under-$2,000 dirt bike roundup cover that side of the store.

Which class should you buy?

Class 2 if you want the widest legal access and a throttle: every Macfox, the Titan and Mars 3.0, and the Freego Shotguns. Class 3 if your commute is long or fast and your state allows 28 mph bikes on the roads you use: the Hybrid, Venus, Ranger 3.0 Pro, Saturn and Ranger S 2.0. If you are unsure which your city allows on a given path, the app-switchable Hybrid and Venus let you run Class 2 there and Class 3 on the road.

Questions, answered