An Act Regarding Electric Bicycles
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1222
Committee Amendment CA_A_H511 (House)
Amends: 29-A MRSA §101, 29-A MRSA §2063

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 882, L.D. 1222, Bill, "An Act 
Regarding Electric Bicycles" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§22-B is enacted to read: 
22-B. Electric bicycle. "Electric bicycle" means a 2-wheel or 3-wheel bicycle with 
fully operable pedals and an electric motor ofless than 750 watts that is a Class 1 electric 
bicycle, a Class 2 electric bicycle or a Class 3 electric bicycle as defined in this 
subsection. 
A. "Class 1 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that 
provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide 
assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour. 
B. "Class 2 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that is 
capable of being used exclusively to propel the bicycle but is not capable of 
propelling the bicycle at a speed of20 miles per hour. 
C. 
11Class 3 electric bicycle
means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that 
provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide 
assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 7 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §2063, sub-§14 is enacted to read: 
14. Electric bicycles. The following provisions govern electric bicycles. 
A. A person operating an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this Title 
relating to financial responsibility, driver's licenses, registration and license plate 
requirements. 
B. 
Beginning October 1, 2019, a manufacturer, distributor or seller of electric 
bicycles in this State shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent 
location, to each electric bicycle. The label must contain the classification number, 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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top assisted speed and motor wattage of the electric bicycle and must be printed in 
Arial font in at least 9-point type. 
C. A person may not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the 
motor-powered speed capability or motor engagement between pedal-assist and 
throttle-assist types of engagement, unless the person appropriately replaces the label 
indicating the classification required in paragraph B. 
A person may not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle in a manner that allows 
the motor to provide assistance above the speed of: 
(1) Twenty miles per hour if the electric bicycle is being propelled exclusively by 
the motor: or 
(2) Twenty-eight miles per hour if the motor is providing assistance only when 
the rider is pedaling. 
If the motor on an electric bicycle is modified so that a limit established in 
subparagraph (1) or (2) is exceeded, that vehicle is no longer an electric bicycle. 
D. 
An electric bicycle must comply with the equipment and manufacturing 
requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety 
Commission pursuant to 16 Code of Federal Regulations. Part 1512. 
E. The motor on an electric bicycle must disengage or cease to propel the electric 
bicycle when the brakes are applied or, if the electric bicycle is a Class 1 electric 
bicycle or Class 3 electric bicycle, when the operator stops pedaling. 
F. This paragraph governs the operation of electric bicycles on bicycle and multi-use 
paths and other bikeways as defined in section 2322, subsection 7, referred to in this 
paragraph as bicycle paths. 
(1) A Class 1 electric bicycle or a Class 2 electric bicycle may be operated in any 
place where bicycles are permitted to travel, including, but not limited to, bicycle 
paths, except that a municipality, local authority or governing body of a public 
agency that has jurisdiction over a bicycle path may prohibit the operation of a 
Class 1 electric bicycle or Class 2 electric bicycle on that bicycle path. 
(2) A Class 3 electric bicycle may not be operated on a bicycle path unless it is 
within a highway or roadway or the bicycle path has been authorized for the 
operation of Class 3 electric bicycles by the municipality, local authority or 
governing body of a public agency that has jurisdiction over the bicycle path. 
(3) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (1) and (2), an electric bicycle may not be 
operated on a bicycle path designated for nonmotorized traffic if significant 
portions of the bicycle path have a natural surface, including gravel, stones or 
wooden bridging, unless authorized by the municipality, local authority or 
governing body of a public agency that has jurisdiction over the bicycle path. 
G. An electric bicycle must be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed 
the electric bicycle is traveling in miles per hour. 
H. This paragraph governs age restrictions for use of electric bicycles. 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "f'}" to H.P. 882, L.D. 1222 
(1) A person under 16 years of age may not operate a Class 2 or Class 3 electric 
bicycle. 
(2) A person under 16 years of age may be a passenger on a Class 2 or Class 3 
electric bicycle only if it is designed to accommodate passengers. 
(3) A person under 16 years of age who is an operator or passenger on an electric 
bicycle shall wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet, as defined in 
section 2322, subsection 2. 
I. The operator of an electric bicycle is subject to the restrictions provided under 
section 2112-A and 23 United States Code. Section 154. 
This subsection may not be construed to limit the authority of the owner of a private way 
or the owner of private property to restrict or allow the operation of electric bicycles on 
the owner's private way or private property.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment makes minor technical edits to the bill, including to the definitions 
of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles, and clarifies the label requirement to 
apply only to a manufacturer, distributor or seller in the State. The amendment also 
makes changes to the age restrictions in the bill. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/31/19 :bfac::.. 
LD 1222 
LR202(02) 
An Act Regarding Electric Bicycles 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment{);,{ 1/-5/ 0 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require 
additional funding at this time. 
The collection of additional fine revenue will increase General Fund and dedicated revenue by minor amounts. 
LR0202(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1