As a new or prospective electric bike owner, there is a plethora of information that can become overwhelming if you do not have prior experience or knowledge in with this type of product.
One question that we get frequently asked here at Electric Bike Company is what class of electric bike do our models belong to and what does each class represent. In order to explain how our electric bikes are able to smoothly transition between the different classes, we must first examine what exactly is involved with each class:
Class 1: The rider only uses the Pedal Assist on their bike. In this class the top speed that you can achieve on your e-bike is 20 mph. It is also in this class that you have the same status as a regular pedal bicycle, meaning that you are granted access to the same roads and trails that are permitted to non-motorized bicycles.
Class 2: The rider has access to both Pedal Assist and their throttle. Similar to Class 1, in Class 2 the rider can achieve a top speed of 20 mph and can be ridden in most places that traditional bikes are permitted to ride. In this class, an electric bike riders still has access to mountain trails but should wary on where they ride, and should stick to terrains that are more durable and tough as the power of the throttle can cause damage to turf that is more supple.
Class 3: The rider can achieve a max speed of 20 mph using the throttle, or can achieve a max speed of 28 mph using pedal assist only. In this class the rider has the ability to ride on street, but due to the top speed that they are able to achieve, being in this class restricts the rider from accessing bike paths and mountain trails.
In addition to knowing what class you want to ride in, it is also important to check your state laws on e-bikes to see if there are other regulations or restrictions that your state may require when riding.
Hopefully you found this information useful. If you have any questions feel free to call us at (949) 264-4080 or come visit our facility in Southern California.
For more information take a look at our FAQ’s page where we answer more questions similar to this one.
Safe Travels & Happy Riding,
-EBC Family
