I was driving in Tarrytown recently and a kid in his early teens zoomed past me on an e-bike going really fast. The way he was riding and weaving through traffic seemed a lot more like he was on a motorcycle. Are underage kids actually allowed to ride e-bikes at high speeds on public roads?
Electric bikes (e-bikes) are everywhere in Austin. Some of them move fast enough that drivers take extra notice, especially when it looks like a middle-schooler is driving. So, what does Texas law actually say about an underage kid (15 or younger) driving fast e-bikes?
The first thing to understand is the distinction between an e-bike and a motorcycle (or a motorcycle that is really pretending to be a bike). The Texas Transportation Code (section 551.107) states that an e-bike must have fully operable pedals and an electric motor that assists the rider. The law also says that the e-bike’s electric motor must disengage when the rider stops pedaling or when the brakes are applied. So, if it looks like a dirt bike and doesn’t pedal at all, or if the motor is not connected to pedaling, odds are that it would be considered a motorcycle and probably cannot be driven legally on the street.
Texas law divides e-bikes into three classes. Class 1 and Class 2 have a top assisted speed of 20 mph (Texas Transportation Code 664.001). Texas law does not set a statewide minimum age to drive Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes. Kids can legally ride them, including on public roads, as long as they follow normal traffic rules.
Class 3 e-bikes are the fast ones. Class 3 e-bikes are legally allowed to reach to assisted speeds of up to 28 mph. Operators of a Class 3 e-bike must be at least 15 years old, although there is no age restriction for a passenger riding on a Class 3 e-bike.
Helmets are required for riders of all three classes of e-bikes. E-bikes must follow all normal traffic laws. Reckless driving, regardless of the rider’s age or bike class, can result in traffic citations. Some cities have also passed ordinances that place further restrictions on e-bikes.
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Marrs, Ellis & Hodge LLP, www.mehlaw.com.
The material in this column is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute, nor is it a substitute for, legal advice. For advice on your specific facts and circumstances, consult a licensed attorney. You may wish to contact the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, a nonprofit public service of the Austin Bar Association, at 512-472-8303 or www.austinlrs.com.
This article appears in January 9 • 2026.