State guide

Maryland

Maryland adopted the three-class electric bicycle system in 2019 and its code expressly lets e-bikes ride where bicycles may ride, subject to path, trail, and local sidewalk limits. Maryland also overlays general bicycle helmet and sidewalk rules, so riders often need both the e-bike statute and the ordinary bicycle statutes.

Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”

Three-class system: Yes. Maryland adopted the three-class system in 2019 by Chapter 63 (House Bill 939); see Md. Transportation §11-117.1 and §21-1205.2.
Minimum age: Maryland's e-bike statute sets a minimum age only for Class 3 on public highways: a person under 16 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike on a public highway, but may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike designed to accommodate passengers. Md. Transportation §21-1205.2(b).
Helmet rule: Maryland's e-bike statute does not add class-specific helmet rules, but the general bicycle helmet law requires helmets for operators and passengers under 16 on public ways. Md. Transportation §21-1207.1.
Where e-bikes may ride: E-bikes may ride where bicycles may ride, including bike lanes. On sidewalks, Maryland allows bicycle riding unless a local ordinance prohibits it. On bicycle paths, a local authority or State agency may prohibit Class 1 or 2; Class 3 is not allowed unless the path is within/adjacent to a highway right-of-way or the local authority or State agency allows it; nonmotorized natural-surface trails may be regulated by the authority with jurisdiction. Md. Transportation §21-1205.2; §21-1103.
License or registration: I found no Maryland statute or MVA page requiring registration, a driver's license, or insurance for electric bicycles. Maryland excludes electric bicycles from the definition of "motor vehicle" in Md. Transportation §11-135, and I found no MVA page directing e-bike owners to title or register them.
Law: Md. Transportation §11-117.1; §21-1205.2; §21-1103; §21-1207.1; §11-135; 2019 Md. Laws ch. 63 (HB 939).

Official resources in Maryland

Maryland General Assembly - Transportation §11-117.1

Official class definitions for Maryland electric bicycles.

Maryland General Assembly - Transportation §21-1205.2

Official e-bike operating statute covering where e-bikes may ride, path restrictions, trail regulation, and the Class 3 age rule.

Maryland General Assembly - Transportation §21-1103

Official sidewalk statute for bicycles; local ordinances may prohibit sidewalk riding.

Maryland DNR - Statewide Maryland Park Policies

Official state park policy page explaining where e-bikes are and are not permitted on state park lands.

Town of Ocean City - Ordinances

Official local rules page summarizing Ocean City's boardwalk and sidewalk restrictions for electric bicycles.

Key facts for Maryland

Chapter 63 of 2019 (House Bill 939) created Maryland's Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bike definitions and operating rules; see Transportation §§11-117.1 and 21-1205.2.
Transportation §21-1205.2(a)(1) says electric bicycles may be operated where bicycles are allowed to travel, including bike lanes.
Transportation §21-1205.2(a)(2) lets a local authority or State agency prohibit Class 1 or 2 e-bikes on a bicycle path, while Class 3 needs specific authorization unless the path is within or adjacent to a highway right-of-way.
Transportation §21-1205.2(b) bars persons under 16 from operating a Class 3 e-bike on a public highway, though they may ride as passengers on qualifying Class 3 bikes.
Transportation §21-1207.1 requires a bicycle helmet for operators and passengers under 16 on public ways; Maryland's driver manual also says helmets are required for anyone under 16 riding a bike.
Maryland DNR says State Parks generally allow e-bikes only where motorized vehicles are allowed, with Class 1 exceptions on the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail and Western Maryland Rail Trail.

City e-bike rules in Maryland

City	city	phone	Details
MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration - Call Center Anne Arundel	Glen Burnie	410-768-7000	State MVA call center for motor-vehicle and licensing questions; the site also lists 1-800-950-1682.
State Highway Administration Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Baltimore City	Baltimore	410-545-5656	State bicycle planning contact listed on Maryland Trails Program bicycle page.
Baltimore City Law Library - Riding on sidewalk Baltimore City	Baltimore	Not published*	Official city code page stating it is unlawful to ride a bicycle on any sidewalk or footway in Baltimore City.
Baltimore City Law Library - Dockless Vehicle Program Baltimore City	Baltimore	Not published*	Official city code pages for dockless e-bikes and shared mobility regulation.
Town of Ocean City - Ordinances Worcester	Ocean City	Not published*	Official town page summarizing boardwalk and sidewalk rules; it states Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are not allowed on the boardwalk at any time.
Western Maryland Rail Trail Washington	Big Pool	301-842-2155	Official DNR trail page stating Class 1 electric bicycles are permitted on the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.

What to do next

Use both state and local rules: Maryland allows bicycle sidewalk riding unless a local ordinance prohibits it, and many municipalities do regulate it.
If you ride a Class 3 e-bike, check the path owner or posted rules before entering a bike path; state law requires authorization in many cases.
For state-park rides, check the specific DNR trail or park page because Maryland's park e-bike policy is narrower than the roadway statute.

Not seeing your city or county?

We list a city only when an official government page publishes its rules. If yours isn't in the table above, it may not publish them online yet. Here's what to use instead, in order:

General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Maryland, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Maryland's population center, for comparison only):
- District Department of Transportation, District of Columbia · about 19 miles
- Shared Micromobility, District of Columbia · about 19 miles
- DDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, District of Columbia · about 19 miles
Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
Maryland General Assembly - Transportation §11-117.1
Website →
Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.
Your city or county office: Local governments →
Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Maryland page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

E-bike rule check →

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