Minnesota E-Bike Laws
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The three e-bike classes
Minnesota law defines an electric-assisted bicycle as a two- or three-wheeled bike with a saddle, fully working pedals, and an electric motor of no more than 750 watts. It must also meet federal bicycle safety rules and have a battery or drive system tested by a third-party lab. Bikes designed or sold to be modified past these limits don't count.
Class 1 helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph. Class 2 can move the bike on the motor alone (a throttle) and stops helping at 20 mph. Class 3 helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 28 mph.
Source: Minn. Stat. 169.011
Where e-bikes can ride by default
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can ride with the motor engaged on bike paths, bike trails and shared-use paths. Class 3 can too, unless the local authority or state agency in charge of the path bans it.
On non-motorized natural-surface (dirt) trails and bike parks, the manager can set its own e-bike rules. State law limits a local government's power to ban or restrict e-bikes, and e-bikes are exempt from the ban on motor vehicles on non-motorized trails.
Source: Minn. Stat. 169.222 · Minn. Stat. 85.018
Age, helmet and equipment rules
No one under 15 may ride an e-bike of any class. The e-bike section of state law has no helmet requirement.
Class 3 e-bikes must have a speedometer that shows miles per hour. Every e-bike needs a label showing its class, top assisted speed and motor wattage.
Source: Minn. Stat. 169.222
State parks
Minnesota state trails allow Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes wherever regular bikes are allowed. The DNR can restrict them on a state trail only if it finds they're unsafe for other trail users or conflict with the terms under which the land was conveyed.
We found no e-bike rule specific to state parks. The park bike rule says bikes may ride only on designated bike trails or where motor vehicles are allowed, except where posted closed. At Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, the dirt singletrack and adaptive trails are Class 1 only. For mountain bike trails in other parks, call the park.
Source: Minnesota DNR: State trail uses · Minn. Stat. 85.015 · Minn. R. 6100.1355 · DNR Conservation Volunteer, 2024
State wildlife and forest lands
DNR guidance says Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes may use all state forest roads and trails unless posted closed. The Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest is the exception: there, bikes are limited to designated bike trails and roads open to motor vehicles.
In wildlife management areas, e-bikes may use public roads unless posted closed to motor vehicles. On roads closed to motor vehicles and on developed non-motorized trails, e-bikes may go only at walking speed. They're not allowed in areas marked as sanctuaries. This comes from a 2024 DNR magazine article, not a formal rule, and the DNR says it's still clarifying e-bike use on wildlife areas.
Source: DNR Conservation Volunteer, 2024 · Minn. R. 6100.1355
National forests
Minnesota's two national forests, Superior and Chippewa, follow Forest Service policy: e-bikes count as motor vehicles, so Class 1, 2 and 3 are limited to roads and trails open to motor vehicles on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.
Source: Superior NF: Biking · USDA Forest Service: E-bikes
Trails we've checked
Arrowhead, North Shore & Iron Range
- Duluth Lakewalk ✅ Yes, all classesCity of Duluth Parks & Recreation
- Duluth Traverse (City of Duluth mountain bike trails) ✅ Yes, all classesCity of Duluth Parks & Recreation
- Gitchi-Gami State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Mesabi Trail ✅ Yes, all classesSt. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority (Mesabi Trail)
- Superior National Forest 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service – Superior NF
- Willard Munger State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
Central & North-Central Lakes Country
- Central Lakes State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Chippewa National Forest 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service – Chippewa NF
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (mountain bike trails) 🟠 Class 1 onlyMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Cuyuna Lakes State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Heartland State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Paul Bunyan State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
Southern Minnesota & Bluff Country
- Cannon Valley Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyCannon Valley Trail Joint Powers Board
- Douglas State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Root River State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
Twin Cities Metro
- Dakota County regional trails and greenways (Big Rivers, Mississippi River Greenway and others) ✅ Yes, all classesDakota County Parks
- Gateway State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park mountain bike trails ❔ Call firstDakota County Parks
- Luce Line State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesMinnesota DNR – Parks and Trails Division
- Midtown Greenway 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyHennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (owner) / City of Minneapolis (maintains)
- Minneapolis Grand Rounds and Chain of Lakes trails 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyMinneapolis Park & Recreation Board
- Theodore Wirth Park off-road cycling trails ❔ Call firstMinneapolis Park & Recreation Board
- Three Rivers Park District regional trails (Dakota Rail, Luce Line, LRT and others) ✅ Yes, all classesThree Rivers Park District
- Three Rivers Park District singletrack mountain bike trails ✅ Yes, all classesThree Rivers Park District
Common questions
What are the e-bike classes in Minnesota?
Minnesota has three e-bike classes: Class 1 (pedal-assist to 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle, cuts out at 20 mph) and Class 3 (pedal-assist to 28 mph). All three need working pedals, a saddle and a motor of no more than 750 watts.
Where can I ride an e-bike in Minnesota?
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can ride with the motor engaged on bike paths, bike trails and shared-use paths. Class 3 can too, unless the local authority or state agency in charge of the path bans it. On non-motorized natural-surface (dirt) trails and bike parks, the manager can set its own e-bike rules. State law limits a local government's power to ban or restrict e-bikes, and e-bikes are exempt from the ban on motor vehicles on non-motorized trails.
Can I ride an e-bike in Minnesota state parks?
Minnesota state trails allow Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes wherever regular bikes are allowed. The DNR can restrict them on a state trail only if it finds they're unsafe for other trail users or conflict with the terms under which the land was conveyed.
Is there an age limit or helmet law for e-bikes in Minnesota?
No one under 15 may ride an e-bike of any class. The e-bike section of state law has no helmet requirement.
Are e-bikes allowed in national forests in Minnesota?
Minnesota's two national forests, Superior and Chippewa, follow Forest Service policy: e-bikes count as motor vehicles, so Class 1, 2 and 3 are limited to roads and trails open to motor vehicles on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.