e-biking in Kansas City

Both Missouri and Kansas have recently passed laws regulating e-bikes. Before that, e-bikes fell into a gray area between bicycles and motorized vehicles.

All e-bikes are legal on streets and on most paths. Class 3 e-bikes, which provide assist up to 28 mph (the fastest category of e-bikes), can be banned from paths and trails, but it requires specific regulation by the government that has jurisdiction over those trails. By default they are allowed on paths.

Bikes manufactured after 2021 must carry a label that identifies their class. Class 3 riders must be at least 16 years old. Helmets are not required. Class 3 bikes must have a speedometer in Missouri but not in Kansas. A license is not required to operate an e-bike of any type, nor is insurance required.

Class 1: bike provides electric assist when being pedaled up to 20 mph

Class 2: bike provides electric propulsion up to 20 mph even when not being pedaled (i.e. has a throttle)

Class 3: bike that provide electric assist when being pedaled up to 28 mph

Note that e-bikes can go faster than the above limits (example: down steep hills or when being pedaled furiously) but the electric assist cuts out at either 20 mph or 28 mph.