HONOLULU (HI Now) - Hawai‘i Bicycling League (HBL) is a local nonprofit founded in 1975 with a mission to enable more people to bicycle for health, recreation, and transportation through advocacy, education, and events.
More people across Hawai‘i are turning to e-bikes to make commutes feel doable, tackle hills with less strain, and swap more car trips for something healthier and more sustainable. But with more riders on the move, the biggest need right now is clarity - what counts as an e-bike, where you can ride, and what the updated rules mean for families, drivers, and everyone sharing the road.
The new state updates align Hawai‘i with national standards by recognizing three e-bike classes. Class 1 provides pedal assist up to 20 mph, Class 2 adds a throttle but still tops out at 20 mph, and Class 3 offers pedal assist up to 28 mph. Hawai‘i law defines e-bikes as bicycles with fully operable pedals and a motor of no more than 750 watts. Under the updated law, Class 2 and Class 3 riders under 16 must have parent or guardian supervision.
Just as important is where e-bikes belong. E-bikes are considered vehicles, like traditional bicycles, and can be ridden where bikes are allowed, including public roadways and bike infrastructure such as bike lanes and bike paths. At the same time, the law draws a brighter line around high speed electric devices, including e-motos and electric dirt bikes that exceed 28 mph or do not have functional pedals, which are not considered e-bikes and are restricted from public roadways. The updated rules also ban mopeds from bicycle facilities and allow law enforcement to seize non road legal high speed devices.
Hawai‘i Bicycling League is meeting this moment with free E-bikes 101 Workshops across O‘ahu, where the focus is skill building, safer riding, and understanding what is now legal. The nonprofit, founded in 1975, is built around advocacy, education, and events that help more people bicycle for health, recreation, and transportation.
For upcoming workshop dates and a clear breakdown of the rules, visit hidot.hawaii.gov/highways and HBL.org/ebikes, and follow @hawaiidot and @HBLridealoha on Instagram.
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