E-Bike Classes Explained: Class 1, 2, and 3, and Where E-Motos Fit

There are three e-bike classes, and they’re sorted by two things: whether you have to pedal for the motor to help, and the speed where that help cuts off. A Class 1 e-bike only helps while you pedal, up to 20 mph. A Class 2 has a throttle, so the motor can move you without pedaling, also up to 20 mph. A Class 3 works like a Class 1 but keeps helping up to 28 mph. Electric dirt bikes like the Surron are far more powerful than the e-bike rules allow, so they’re treated as a different vehicle altogether. Below, we’ll cover how each class works, where you can ride it in Ohio and Arizona, and where e-motos fit.

The Three E-Bike Classes at a Glance

	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	E-moto (electric dirt bike)
How the motor helps	Only while you pedal	Throttle, with or without pedaling	Only while you pedal	Throttle
Motor stops helping at	20 mph	20 mph	28 mph	No e-bike speed cutoff
Motor power	Under 750 W	Under 750 W	Under 750 W	Often rated in kilowatts
Working pedals required	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Ohio bike paths	Allowed unless local rules ban them	Allowed unless local rules ban them	Only next to a roadway or where authorized	Not an e-bike
Arizona bike and multiuse paths	Allowed unless local rules ban them	Allowed unless local rules ban them	Only next to a roadway or where authorized	Not an e-bike
License or registration	No	No	No	Often required (Ohio off-highway registration or an Arizona OHV decal)

At Electrix Moto, our Class 2 e-bikes include the SUPER73-MZFT SE.

What Every E-Bike Class Has in Common

Under both Ohio's e-bike definitions and Arizona's, every legal e-bike has:

Fully operable pedals.
An electric motor of less than 750 watts. Both states use the words "less than seven hundred fifty watts."
A speed cutoff. The motor stops assisting at 20 mph or 28 mph, depending on the class.

Both states also require manufacturers to put a permanent label on each e-bike showing its class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage. Check for that label when you shop.

Class 1 E-Bikes: Pedal Assist to 20 mph

A Class 1 e-bike only helps while you're pedaling, and the motor cuts out at 20 mph. There's no throttle. You can still ride faster than 20 mph on your own power, but the motor won't help.

In Ohio, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can ride on bike paths and shared-use paths unless a local authority prohibits them.

Good for: commuting, paved trails, and riders who want a regular bike feel.

Class 2 E-Bikes: Throttle to 20 mph

A Class 2 e-bike has the same 20 mph cutoff, but the motor can move the bike whether or not you pedal, using a throttle. Ohio's definition says the motor "may provide assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling." Arizona's says it "may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle."

In both states, Class 2 e-bikes get the same path access as Class 1, subject to local rules.

Good for: riders who want to cruise without pedaling, stop-and-go city riding, and people with knee or mobility limits.

Class 3 E-Bikes: Pedal Assist to 28 mph

A Class 3 e-bike helps only while you pedal, but keeps helping up to 28 mph. The higher speed comes with more rules. Under Ohio's e-bike rules:

Riders must be at least 16 years old.
Riders and passengers must wear a helmet that meets CPSC or ASTM standards.
The bike must have a speedometer that shows miles per hour.
Class 3 bikes can use paths next to roads, or other paths only where a local authority allows them.

Ohio also keeps all three classes off mountain bike and natural-surface trails reserved for non-motorized use, unless the agency in charge of the trail authorizes them.

In Arizona, the state's e-bike law allows Class 1 and Class 2 on bicycle and multiuse paths, though local authorities can prohibit them. Class 3 can't use those paths unless the path is within or next to a highway or roadway, or the local authority in charge of the path allows it.

Good for: longer commutes on roads and riders who keep up with traffic.

What About Bikes With Multiple Modes?

Some bikes can switch between a legal e-bike mode and faster modes. The SUPER73-MZFT SE we carry, for example, is listed with a 20 mph Class 2 top speed, and its listing says the faster "Sport," "Race," and "Off-Road" modes aren't meant for public streets, highways, or sidewalks.

Ohio law also says that if a bike is modified so its top assisted speed changes, the label has to be updated to match. Unlocking a faster mode can change what the bike legally is.

Where E-Motos Fit (and Why They Aren't E-Bikes)

An e-moto is an electric motorcycle or electric dirt bike, and many have motors rated in kilowatts. If a bike's motor is rated well above the 750-watt limit, as most e-motos are, or the motor keeps helping past the class speed cutoffs, it doesn't meet the e-bike definition in Ohio or Arizona, so e-bike rules don't apply to it. Here's how it works where we're located:

Ohio

Ohio treats a motorcycle "designed to be operated primarily on lands other than a street or highway" as an off-highway motorcycle. Off-highway motorcycles must be registered unless they're ridden only on land the owner owns or has a contractual right to use.

Arizona

Arizona requires an off-highway vehicle user indicia (decal) for vehicles designed mainly for unimproved terrain that weigh 2,500 pounds or less. Arizona MVD also offers street-legal registration options for off-highway vehicles when the owner certifies the vehicle meets the street-legal equipment requirements.

For a deeper look at riding e-motos legally in both states, including where to ride near Columbus and Tucson, read our guide: Are Electric Dirt Bikes Street Legal? Ohio and Arizona Rules.

Electrix Moto carries e-motos from Surron, E Ride Pro, Arctic Leopard, ReRode, and more. You can see them in our e-moto collection or at either of our shops.

How to Choose Between an E-Bike and an E-Moto

Ask yourself three questions:

Where will you ride most? Streets, bike paths, and commuting point to a Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike. Trails, tracks, and private land point to an e-moto.
Do you want to pedal? If not, look at Class 2 e-bikes or e-motos.
Are you willing to register it? If you want no registration or license, stay within the e-bike classes and ride in e-bike mode.

How Electrix Moto Helps

We carry both sides of this line. Our bike lineup includes Class 2 e-bikes like the SUPER73-MZFT SE, along with full-power e-motos built for electric off-road riding.

Not sure which fits how you ride? Stop by our shops in Gahanna, Ohio, or Tucson, Arizona, where we offer parts, repairs, and service. You can also contact our team with questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a Class 2 and Class 3 e-bike?

A Class 2 e-bike has a throttle and stops assisting at 20 mph. A Class 3 e-bike helps only while you pedal, but keeps helping up to 28 mph. Class 3 comes with more rules, like Ohio's age 16 minimum and helmet requirement.

2. Do you need a license for an e-bike in Ohio or Arizona?

No, as long as it meets the Class 1, 2, or 3 definition. Ohio law classifies e-bikes as bicycles, not motor vehicles. Arizona exempts e-bikes from title, registration, driver license, and insurance requirements.

3. Is a Surron an e-bike?

No. Surron models such as the Light Bee and Ultra Bee are e-motos. The Light Bee 2 we sell is listed at 24 kW, far above the under-750-watt e-bike limit. In Ohio and Arizona, off-road bikes like these generally fall under off-highway vehicle rules.

4. What happens if my e-bike can go faster than 28 mph?

If the motor keeps helping past 28 mph, or the motor is over the 750-watt limit, it no longer meets the e-bike definition in Ohio or Arizona. Depending on how it's built and registered, it may be treated as a moped, motorcycle, or off-road vehicle, with registration and licensing rules to match.

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