Texas E-Bike Laws
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The three e-bike classes
Texas law defines an electric bicycle as a bike with fully working pedals, an electric motor under 750 watts, and a top assisted speed of 28 mph or less. It then sorts them into three classes.
Class 1 helps only while you pedal and tops out at 20 mph. Class 2 can move the bike on the motor alone (a throttle) and tops out at 20 mph. Class 3 helps only while you pedal and tops out above 20 but under 28 mph.
Source: Tex. Transp. Code 664.001
Where e-bikes can ride by default
In Texas, e-bikes of every class can go wherever a regular bicycle can. The state law doesn't treat the classes differently on paths.
TxDOT or a local authority can't ban e-bikes on roads used mainly by cars, or anywhere regular bikes are allowed, with one exception: a natural-surface (dirt) path that's closed to motor vehicles. They can also ban bikes on sidewalks and set bike speed limits on paths. That's why dirt trails are where the rule changes from place to place.
Source: Tex. Transp. Code 551.106
Age, helmet and equipment rules
The motor must cut out when you stop pedaling or when you hit the brakes. No one under 15 may ride a Class 3 e-bike as the operator, though they can ride on one as a passenger.
E-bikes are exempt from the rules on vehicle registration, title and driver licensing. State e-bike law has no statewide helmet requirement, but some cities set their own (Austin requires helmets on its Veloway, for example).
Source: Tex. Transp. Code 551.107
State parks
Texas Parks and Wildlife says e-bikes are allowed on public roadways in state parks but not on park trails. Its rules count an electric bicycle as a motor vehicle, and motor vehicles are limited to roads, driveways, parking areas and areas designated for motor vehicle use. This applies to all three classes.
A 2022 TPWD proposal to allow e-bikes on state park trails was withdrawn, so the trail ban still stands.
Source: TPWD: Biking in State Parks · 31 TAC 59.131 · 31 TAC 59.134
National forests
The Forest Service treats e-bikes as motor vehicles. Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are allowed on roads and trails open to motor vehicles, and not on non-motorized trails.
In Texas that covers the Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Angelina and Sabine National Forests and the Caddo and LBJ National Grasslands, all run as the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Their biking page has no e-bike rules of its own.
Source: USDA Forest Service: E-bikes · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas
Trails we've checked
Austin & Hill Country
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail (Lady Bird Lake) ✅ Yes, all classesAustin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Conservancy
- Barton Creek Greenbelt ❔ Call firstAustin Parks and Recreation
- Bastrop State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- McKinney Falls State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Northern & Southern Walnut Creek Trails (Austin Urban Trails) ✅ Yes, all classesCity of Austin Transportation and Public Works (Urban Trails Program)
- Pedernales Falls State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Veloway (Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park) ✅ Yes, all classesAustin Parks and Recreation
Dallas–Fort Worth
- Cedar Hill State Park (DORBA trail) 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Dinosaur Valley State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Katy Trail (Dallas) ❔ Call firstDallas Park and Recreation / Friends of the Katy Trail
- Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Trinity Trails (Fort Worth) ❔ Call firstTarrant Regional Water District (with City of Fort Worth)
- White Rock Lake Trail (Dallas) ❔ Call firstDallas Park and Recreation
East Texas Piney Woods
- Huntsville State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Sam Houston National Forest trails 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service - National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (Sam Houston NF)
Houston & Gulf Coast
- Brazos Bend State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Buffalo Bayou Park (Houston) ❔ Call firstBuffalo Bayou Partnership / Houston Parks and Recreation
- Memorial Park (Houston) 🔴 NoMemorial Park Conservancy / Houston Parks and Recreation
- Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail ❔ Call firstHarris County Precinct 4
Panhandle & West Texas
- Big Bend Ranch State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
San Antonio
- Government Canyon State Natural Area 🔴 NoTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails (Salado, Leon Creek, Medina River) ❔ Call firstCity of San Antonio Parks and Recreation
Common questions
What are the e-bike classes in Texas?
Texas 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, more than 20 but under 28 mph). All three need working pedals and a motor under 750 watts.
Where can I ride an e-bike in Texas?
In Texas, e-bikes of every class can go wherever a regular bicycle can. The state law doesn't treat the classes differently on paths. TxDOT or a local authority can't ban e-bikes on roads used mainly by cars, or anywhere regular bikes are allowed, with one exception: a natural-surface (dirt) path that's closed to motor vehicles. They can also ban bikes on sidewalks and set bike speed limits on paths. That's why dirt trails are where the rule changes from place to place.
Can I ride an e-bike in Texas state parks?
Texas Parks and Wildlife says e-bikes are allowed on public roadways in state parks but not on park trails. Its rules count an electric bicycle as a motor vehicle, and motor vehicles are limited to roads, driveways, parking areas and areas designated for motor vehicle use. This applies to all three classes.
Is there an age limit or helmet law for e-bikes in Texas?
The motor must cut out when you stop pedaling or when you hit the brakes. No one under 15 may ride a Class 3 e-bike as the operator, though they can ride on one as a passenger.
Are e-bikes allowed in national forests in Texas?
The Forest Service treats e-bikes as motor vehicles. Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are allowed on roads and trails open to motor vehicles, and not on non-motorized trails.