Oregon E-Bike Laws
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The three e-bike classes
Oregon sorts electric assisted bicycles 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 without pedaling (a throttle) and stops helping at 20 mph. Class 3 helps only while you pedal, stops helping at 28 mph, and must have a speedometer.
Some older pages still quote Oregon's earlier definition (1,000 watts, 20 mph, no classes). That definition has been replaced.
Source: ORS 801.258
Where e-bikes can ride by default
Oregon law treats an e-bike as a bicycle, not a motor vehicle, unless a statute says otherwise. One thing it does say: riding an e-bike on a sidewalk is illegal.
Oregon has no statewide default rule for e-bikes on off-street paths or trails. Each land manager decides: state parks by state rule, cities by code, park districts and counties by their own rules, and federal agencies by theirs. That's why the rule changes from trail to trail.
Source: ORS 814.405, 814.410
Age, helmet and equipment rules
Oregon law lets anyone 16 or older ride a Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike without a driver's license.
Riders under 16 must wear an approved helmet on any bicycle, including an e-bike, on a road or on property open to the public.
Source: ORS 807.020 · ORS 814.485
State parks
Since July 1, 2025, Oregon State Parks allow Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on trails where regular bikes are allowed, unless a trail is marked closed to them. The district manager can close or limit a trail because of user conflicts, safety or damage to the park. The old rule that limited e-bikes to trails 8 feet or wider is gone.
Parks with e-bike closures are listed by Oregon State Parks. They include Elijah Bristow (all trails), Willamette Mission (equestrian trails and the Vision Trail), Clyde Holliday (Riverside Trail) and Emigrant Springs (Lewis and Clark Trail).
On the ocean shore, e-bikes may ride on wet sand only, never on dry sand or dunes, and not in snowy plover areas from March 15 to September 15.
Source: OAR 736-010-0026 (OPRD rule filing) · OPRD news release · Oregon State Parks closures
State wildlife and forest lands
The Oregon Department of Forestry's non-motorized trails page (Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam state forests) doesn't mention e-bikes, and we found no ODF e-bike rule. Call ODF before riding a non-motorized trail there.
Oregon State University's research forests (including McDonald-Dunn) treat all classes of e-bikes as motorized vehicles, which aren't allowed on forest roads.
Source: Oregon Dept. of Forestry · OSU Research Forests
National forests
The U.S. Forest Service allows Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on roads and trails open to motor vehicles. The Willamette National Forest says plainly that they're not allowed on non-motorized trails, including most mountain bike trails.
The Deschutes National Forest is the exception. It allows Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes on about 161 miles of existing soft-surface and paved trails, from April 1 to November 30 only. The trail lists are on the forest's Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters maps.
On BLM land in Oregon, e-bikes are allowed on all roads and trails open to motor vehicles, including OHV areas.
Source: USDA Forest Service · Willamette NF · Deschutes NF · BLM Oregon/Washington
Trails we've checked
Central Oregon (Bend & Sisters)
- Deschutes River Trail (Bend Park & Recreation District, incl. Old Mill reach) 🟠 Pedal-assist onlyBend Park & Recreation District
- Peterson Ridge Trails (Sisters, Deschutes National Forest) 🟠 Class 1 onlyUSDA Forest Service - Deschutes National Forest
- Phil's Trail complex (Deschutes National Forest) 🟠 Class 1 onlyUSDA Forest Service - Deschutes National Forest
- Shevlin Park trails (Bend) 🟠 Pedal-assist onlyBend Park & Recreation District
- Smith Rock State Park (bike trails) ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Sun-Lava Path (Sunriver to Lava Lands) 🟠 Class 1 onlyUSDA Forest Service - Deschutes National Forest
Columbia Gorge & Mt. Hood
- Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Mt. Hood National Forest trails 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service - Mt. Hood National Forest
- Post Canyon (Hood River County Forest) 🟠 Class 1 onlyHood River County Forestry Department
- Sandy Ridge Trail System ❔ Call firstBureau of Land Management - Northwest Oregon District
Oregon Coast
- Fort Stevens State Park (paved bike trails) ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
Portland Metro
- Banks-Vernonia State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Forest Park (Leif Erikson Drive & trails) 🔴 NoPortland Parks & Recreation
- L.L. Stub Stewart State Park (mountain bike trails) ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Springwater Corridor (Portland section) ✅ Yes, all classesPortland Parks & Recreation
- Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade & Tom McCall Waterfront Park ✅ Yes, all classesPortland Parks & Recreation
Southern Oregon
- Bear Creek Greenway ❔ Call firstJackson County Parks (with Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford, Central Point)
- OC&E Woods Line State Trail ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
Willamette Valley
- Elijah Bristow State Park 🔴 NoOregon Parks and Recreation Department
- McDonald-Dunn Forest (OSU Research Forests) 🔴 NoOregon State University College of Forestry - Research Forests
- Oakridge trails (Alpine, Aubrey Mountain, etc. - Willamette National Forest) 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service - Willamette National Forest
- Silver Falls State Park (bike trails) ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Willamette Mission State Park ✅ Yes, all classesOregon Parks and Recreation Department
Common questions
What are the e-bike classes in Oregon?
Oregon 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, with a speedometer).
Where can I ride an e-bike in Oregon?
Oregon law treats an e-bike as a bicycle, not a motor vehicle, unless a statute says otherwise. One thing it does say: riding an e-bike on a sidewalk is illegal. Oregon has no statewide default rule for e-bikes on off-street paths or trails. Each land manager decides: state parks by state rule, cities by code, park districts and counties by their own rules, and federal agencies by theirs. That's why the rule changes from trail to trail.
Can I ride an e-bike in Oregon state parks?
Since July 1, 2025, Oregon State Parks allow Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on trails where regular bikes are allowed, unless a trail is marked closed to them. The district manager can close or limit a trail because of user conflicts, safety or damage to the park. The old rule that limited e-bikes to trails 8 feet or wider is gone.
Is there an age limit or helmet law for e-bikes in Oregon?
Oregon law lets anyone 16 or older ride a Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike without a driver's license.
Are e-bikes allowed in national forests in Oregon?
The U.S. Forest Service allows Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on roads and trails open to motor vehicles. The Willamette National Forest says plainly that they're not allowed on non-motorized trails, including most mountain bike trails.