Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are popular with many different groups of people. Tourists, adults without driver’s licenses and teenagers are among the most common e-bike riders. E-bikes are a fast and convenient means of local transportation, and Tennessee allows their use on public roads, as well as on trials, depending on the size and speed of the e-bike.
Tennessee has long permitted teenagers to legally operate e-bikes on public infrastructure. However, new regulations set to take effect on July 1st, 2026, raise the minimum age for legally operating an e-bike. Parents and teens, as well as those involved in e-bike incidents, need to be aware of the changing regulations and what they may mean for public safety.
What are the new rules?
Tennessee acknowledges three different types or classes of e-bikes. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are smaller and are subject to a maximum assisted speed of 20 miles per hour (mph). Class 3 e-bikes can reach up to 28 mph, and they are only legal to ride on roads, not on bike paths. Riders must wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Given their ability to reach and sustain speeds higher than human-propelled bicycles and their heavier weight, Class 3 e-bikes can potentially cause serious injuries if an e-bike rider collides with another cyclist or strikes a pedestrian. Beginning on July 1st, teenagers must be at least 16 to operate Class 3 e-bikes.
Safety experts and medical professionals note that e-bikes can be especially dangerous for young operators due to the high speeds they can reach. Children are at risk of broken bones and internal injuries. They can also lose control of their e-bikes, striking others on bicycles or even pedestrians.
E-bikes can cause serious injuries and property damage when inexperienced riders lose control or fail to follow traffic laws. Unlike motorcycles and cars, they do not typically require insurance, which can leave injured parties struggling to cover the costs of an e-bike collision, especially if a young teen was at fault for the crash.
Those involved in an e-bike collision may need support documenting what occurred and holding unsafe riders or possibly their parents accountable for property damage and injury-related expenses. Reviewing the circumstances of a bicycle collision with an attorney can help people identify regulatory violations and potential sources of post-collision compensation.