Missouri E-Bike Laws
Last checked:
The three e-bike classes
Missouri law defines an electric bicycle as a bike with fully working pedals, a seat, and an electric motor under 750 watts. It then sorts them into three classes.
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) but stops helping at 20 mph. Class 3 helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 28 mph.
Source: RSMo 301.010
Where e-bikes can ride by default
An e-bike rider has the same rights and duties as a bicycle rider, and an e-bike may be ridden on bike or multi-use paths where bicycles are allowed.
Whoever runs a path can change that. After notice and a public hearing they can ban Class 1 or Class 2 on a path for safety reasons, and they can ban Class 3 on a path without a hearing. Natural-surface trails designated non-motorized are left to the trail manager to regulate. That's why the rule changes from trail to trail.
Source: RSMo 307.194
Class 3 riders
No one under 16 may ride a Class 3 e-bike as the operator, though they can ride as a passenger on one built for passengers. Class 3 e-bikes must have a speedometer that shows miles per hour.
Source: RSMo 307.194
State parks, conservation areas and national forest
Missouri State Parks allow electrically assisted pedal bikes (top assisted speed 20 mph) on trails designated for bicycles. The rule covers pedal-assist; it doesn't mention throttle-only Class 2 bikes, so call the park if you ride one. Class 3 exceeds the 20 mph limit.
Missouri Department of Conservation areas allow bicycles, including e-bikes, on trails and service roads designated open to bicycles. Some service roads close to bikes during firearms deer and spring turkey seasons.
The Mark Twain National Forest follows Forest Service policy: e-bikes count as motor vehicles, so they're limited to roads and trails open to motor vehicles.
Source: 10 CSR 90-2.030 (State Parks) · 3 CSR 10-11.130 (MDC) · USDA Forest Service
Trails we've checked
Central Missouri
- Katy Trail State Park 🟢 Class 1 (Class 2: call)Missouri State Parks
- Lake of the Ozarks State Park trails 🟢 Class 1 (Class 2: call)Missouri State Parks
- MKT Trail (MKT Nature and Fitness Trail) 🟠 Pedal-assist onlyCity of Columbia Parks and Recreation
- Rock Island Trail State Park 🟢 Class 1 (Class 2: call)Missouri State Parks
Eastern Ozarks
- Berryman Trail (Mark Twain National Forest) 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service – Mark Twain NF
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways (roads and bike-open trails) ✅ Yes, all classesNational Park Service – Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- Ozark Trail ❔ Call firstMixed: USDA Forest Service, Missouri State Parks, Missouri Dept of Conservation, NPS, L-A-D Foundation (coordinated by Ozark Trail Association)
Kansas City area
- Indian Creek Greenway Trail (Kansas City, MO) ✅ Yes, all classesCity of Kansas City, MO (Code of Ordinances Sec. 70-706); trail operated by KC Parks & Recreation
- Landahl Park mountain bike trails 🟢 Class 1 & 3, no throttleJackson County Parks + Rec
- Line Creek Trail (Kansas City, MO Northland) ✅ Yes, all classesCity of Kansas City, MO (Code of Ordinances Sec. 70-706); trail operated by KC Parks & Recreation
- Little Blue Trace Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 3, no throttleJackson County Parks + Rec
- Longview Lake Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 3, no throttleJackson County Parks + Rec
- Smithville Lake trails (paved, mountain bike) ❔ Call firstClay County Parks
Springfield & SW Ozarks
- Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area multi-use trails ✅ Yes, all classesMissouri Dept of Conservation
- Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Trail System (Mark Twain National Forest) 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service – Mark Twain NF
- Fellows Lake Trail System 🟠 Class 1 onlyOzark Greenways
- Frisco Highline Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyOzark Greenways
- Sac River Mountain Bike Trails 🟠 Class 1 onlyOzark Greenways
- Springfield-Greene County Park Board greenway trails (e.g. Galloway Creek, South Creek, Wilson's Creek greenways) ❔ Call firstSpringfield-Greene County Park Board
- Table Rock Lakeshore Trail 🟢 Class 1 (Class 2: call)Missouri State Parks (Table Rock State Park), with US Army Corps of Engineers
- White River Valley Trail System (Table Rock State Park) 🟢 Class 1 (Class 2: call)Missouri State Parks (Table Rock State Park), partly on US Army Corps of Engineers land
St. Louis area
- Castlewood State Park (mountain bike trails) 🟢 Class 1 (Class 2: call)Missouri State Parks
- Forest Park (Dual Recreational Path) ❔ Call firstCity of St. Louis Parks (with Forest Park Forever)
- Grant's Trail (Gravois Greenway) ❔ Call firstMultiple: Kirkwood, Oakland, Crestwood, St. Louis County Parks, St. Louis City Parks (built by Great Rivers Greenway)
- Great Rivers Greenway greenways (system-wide) ❔ Call firstGreat Rivers Greenway (rules set by each operating partner)
- Lost Valley Trail (Weldon Spring Conservation Area) ✅ Yes, all classesMissouri Dept of Conservation
- St. Louis County Parks trails (Creve Coeur Lake Park, Chubb Trail at West Tyson/Lone Elk, etc.) ✅ Yes, all classesSt. Louis County Parks