Vehicles that are not Class 1, 2, or 3 Electric Bicycles can be confusing. With the lines continuing to blur on what exactly constitutes an eBike, the PeopleForBikes industry association has tried to clarify and codify classes of electric bicycles. The bicycle industry created Class 1, 2, and 3 designations for Low Speed Electric Bicycles (LSEBs) to clarify and describe their respective capabilities, and to support the enactment of appropriate legislation and regulations regarding LSEB equipment and usage on transportation and recreational facilities.
Class 1, 2 and 3 LSEBs are classified as “electric bicycles” by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and regulated by that agency under 16 C.F.R. Section 1512. To differentiate LSEBs from Out of Class Electric Vehicle (OCEVs), PeopleForBikes developed a policy position that outlines how OCEVs are not LSEBs and should not be labeled, marketed, or sold as LSEBs. LSEBs should not be modified by retailers or consumers to exceed the specifications of their class as manufactured. The use of OCEVs on facilities designed and designated for the use of bicycles and LSEBs may result in user conflicts and jeopardize PeopleForBikes’ ongoing efforts to promote uniform laws and gain wider acceptance and access for LSEBs.
Read the media and messaging guide for this policy here:
https://wsd-pfb-sparkinfluence.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2020/04/OutofClass_ebikes_messaging.pdf