HB99 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeremy GrayRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Motor vehicles, electric bicycles, operation and regulation provided, Sec. 32-5A-267 added; Secs. 32-1-1.1, 32-12-20, 32-12A-1 am'd.

Summary

HB99 creates an official definition and regulatory framework for electric bicycles in Alabama, treating them as bicycles and detailing their classes, safety rules, and local path regulations.

What This Bill Does

Defines electric bicycles and classifies them into Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 with speed limits of 20 mph for Class 1 and Class 2, and 28 mph for Class 3. Declares electric bicycles to be vehicles with the same rights as bicycles, and excludes them from driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, and motor vehicle insurance requirements. Establishes safety and labeling requirements, including permanent manufacturer labels, mandatory braking/disengagement behavior, and helmet and speedometer rules for Class 3. Allows local governments to restrict certain classes on bike paths after notice and a hearing, with exceptions for specific non-motorized trails, and amends existing law to exclude electric bicycles from motorcycle and off-road vehicle definitions.

Who It Affects

• Electric bicycle riders and operators: will ride Class 1-3 as bicycles, must follow safety rules (including helmet requirements for Class 3), and may be subject to local path restrictions; there are age limits for Class 3 operation and a required speedometer for Class 3.
• Manufacturers/distributors and local governments: must label each electric bicycle with class, top speed, and wattage starting in 2022; local governments can ban or restrict certain classes on bike paths after hearings; e-bikes are exempt from driver’s licenses, registration, and insurance requirements.

Key Provisions

• Electric bicycles are defined and classified into Class 1 (pedal assist up to 20 mph), Class 2 (motorized up to 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal assist up to 28 mph); they are treated as bicycles and are not motorcycles or off-road vehicles.
• Manufacturers must place a permanent label on each electric bicycle with its class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage starting January 1, 2022; tampering with the speed capability or classification is prohibited and requires label replacement if modified; Class 3 riders must wear helmets and have a speedometer; local governments may restrict certain classes on bike paths after notice and hearing.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles