PHOENIX — New rules for electric bikes are set to take effect in the unincorporated parts of Maricopa County, after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance on Wednesday setting age limits and helmet requirements for e-bike riders.
The ordinance covers e-bikes — defined as bicycles or tricycles equipped with fully operable pedals and a small electric motor — only in unincorporated parts of the county. It does not apply inside cities and towns, which have their own rules, and it does not apply to the county’s regional parks, which already have their own established rules for e-bike use.
Arizona law sorts e-bikes into three classes, and the county’s rules follow those classes. Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assisted and top out at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes can run on the motor without pedaling and also top out at 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assisted and can reach 28 mph.
Under the new ordinance, riders under the age of 16 are restricted to Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes. A Class 3 rider must be at least 16 years old, and helmets are required for Class 3 riders under the age of 18.
The ordinance was drafted by Board Chair Kate Brophy McGee of District 3, working with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the county says it gives riders clear guidance on where e-bikes can legally be ridden as well as the age restrictions. The county pointed to a recent uptick in e-bike-related accidents as the reason for the rules, with the goal of protecting community members and preventing incidents.
In a statement released by Maricopa County, Brophy McGee said: “Electric bikes are an increasingly popular way to get from one place to another, but they require unique considerations to ensure safety for riders, pedestrians and everyone else sharing our roadways and public spaces. With this ordinance, we are joining other cities and towns across Maricopa County in providing detailed guidance that empowers riders while protecting public safety.”
The county has posted a complete overview of the new regulations on its website as a downloadable flyer.
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