You can commute across Portland on an electric scooter or an e-bike in the street, in bike lanes and on multi-use paths, but not on sidewalks or in crosswalks. Until the end of 2026, Oregon lets electric scooter riders go at most 15 mph, sets the minimum age at 16 and requires a helmet at every age. On January 1, 2027, a new state law takes over: the electric scooter speed limit rises to 20 mph, the minimum age drops to 14, the helmet rule applies only to riders under 16, and 14- and 15-year-olds may ride Class 1 e-bikes. Below are the rules, what changes, the city's e-bike rebate, and which rides fit.
- Where: city streets, bike lanes and multi-use paths. No sidewalks, no riding through crosswalks, and no parks except on park roads.
- Electric scooters now: 16 and older, 15 mph at most, a helmet at every age.
- From January 1, 2027: 14 and older, 20 mph at most, a helmet under 16.
- E-bikes: Class 1, 2 and 3, no license. 16 and older today; 14 and older for Class 1 from 2027.
- Rebate: income-qualified Portland residents can get up to $1,600 toward a standard e-bike through the city's program.
What are the rules for electric scooters and e-bikes in Portland?
Portland follows the Oregon Vehicle Code and adds its own street rules through the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). Here is how the state rules stand today and from January 1, 2027.
| Rule | Electric scooter, until Dec 31, 2026 | Electric scooter, from Jan 1, 2027 | E-bike |
|---|---|---|---|
| What counts | A motor of no more than 1,000 watts that can't push it past 24 mph on level ground (ORS 801.348) | Same, but the top speed on level ground drops to 20 mph (HB 4007) | Class 1 (pedal assist to 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle to 20 mph) or Class 3 (pedal assist to 28 mph, with a speedometer) (ORS 801.258) |
| Speed limit | 15 mph (ORS 814.512) | 20 mph | Assist stops at 20 or 28 mph by class |
| Minimum age | 16 | 14 | 16 today; from 2027, 14 for Class 1 and 16 for Class 2 and 3 |
| Helmet | Every rider (ORS 814.534) | Riders under 16 | Riders under 16 |
| License or registration | No | No | No |
| Sidewalks | No, except to enter or leave a property (ORS 814.524) | No, except to enter or leave a property | No (ORS 814.410) |
| Passengers | No (ORS 814.530) | No | Bicycle rules |
What changes on January 1, 2027?
House Bill 4007 was signed on April 7, 2026, and its electric scooter and e-bike sections take effect on January 1, 2027. For Portland commuters, it changes six things:
- Electric scooter speed: the limit on the road rises from 15 to 20 mph, and an electric scooter only counts as one if it can't go faster than 20 mph on level ground (down from 24).
- Electric scooter age: the minimum drops from 16 to 14.
- Helmets: the all-ages helmet rule for electric scooters is repealed. The under-16 helmet rule now covers bicycles and e-bikes, electric scooters and the new powered micromobility devices, with a $25 presumptive fine that the court can waive the first time if you show you own an approved helmet.
- Class 1 e-bikes at 14: 14- and 15-year-olds may ride a Class 1 e-bike. Class 2 and 3 stay at 16, and riders in an approved bicycle safety program may ride Class 1 and 2 at a younger age.
- A new category for faster rides: a "powered micromobility device" is anything with a motor that tops out at 28 mph and weighs under 100 pounds, other than an e-bike or electric scooter. Riders must be 16, follow bicycle rules, and cities can ban or limit them in bike lanes, on paths and on sidewalks.
- Certified batteries: new e-bikes, electric scooters and their batteries and chargers sold in Oregon must be certified by an accredited testing lab and carry its mark, and selling a ride built to be switched past its class becomes a violation. Our UL 2849 vs UL 2272 guide explains what those certifications cover.
PBOT's pages still describe today's rules, including a helmet for every electric scooter rider, and that stays correct until December 31, 2026.
Where can you ride an electric scooter or e-bike in Portland?
PBOT allows electric scooters on city streets, in bike lanes and on multi-use paths. Riders must yield to pedestrians, and riding on the sidewalk or through a crosswalk is prohibited; walk the electric scooter across instead. Portland Parks prohibits motorized wheeled devices inside parks except on park roads.
State law adds its own road rules for electric scooters. Where a bike lane or path runs next to the road, you have to use it (ORS 814.514). And you can't ride in the traffic lane of a road with a speed limit over 25 mph; on those roads, stay in the bike lane, or cross (ORS 814.518). Hand signals are required for stops and turns when it's safe to take a hand off (ORS 814.522). E-bikes follow the bicycle rules, and an e-bike is never allowed on the sidewalk in Oregon.
Do you need a helmet in Portland?
On an electric scooter, yes, at any age, through December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027, the state helmet rule covers riders under 16 on electric scooters, e-bikes and bicycles. For adults on an e-bike, there's no state helmet requirement, and PBOT recommends one for everyone. We recommend one on every ride, and a rear light on wet winter evenings: see our night riding light rules.
How do Portland's shared electric scooters work?
PBOT runs the shared electric scooter program with Lyft and Lime, which may put up to 3,500 electric scooters on the street between them. Every shared electric scooter has a built-in lock: you end the ride by locking it to a public bicycle rack, or to a city signpost if there's no rack, and Lyft electric scooters can also lock to BIKETOWN stations. One rider per electric scooter. PBOT counted a record 1.1 million shared electric scooter trips in 2023.
Shared rides cost per minute, and they need a charged one parked nearby. Commuters who ride every day often buy their own, which is what the rest of this guide covers.
Is there an e-bike rebate in Portland?
Yes. The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) runs the Portland E-Bike Rebate program, which is investing $20 million through June 2029 toward about 6,000 rebates.
| Rebate | Up to |
|---|---|
| Standard e-bike | $1,600 |
| Cargo e-bike | $2,350 |
| Accessories (helmet, lock, lights) | $300 |
| Adaptive e-bike | $8,500 |
| Adaptive conversion | $2,800 |
For the standard and cargo rebate, you need to live in the City of Portland, be 18 or older, have a household income at or below 60% of the area median, finish a short online safety course, and keep the e-bike for at least a year. Winners are picked at random. The last 2026 release went out on August 17, 2026; applications stay open year-round, and anyone already in the pool is entered in the 2027 releases. The rebate is redeemed at a participating Portland retailer from the program's qualified products list, with ID checked in person, so it can't be used on an online order from us.
What should a Portland commuter look for?
- Water resistance. A Portland commute means months of rain. Look for an IP rating on the electric scooter or e-bike and on the battery, and dry it off before you charge it.
- Speed that fits the law. For an electric scooter, a top speed of 20 mph or less keeps it in Oregon's electric scooter category after January 1, 2027. A faster electric scooter becomes a powered micromobility device: legal for riders 16 and older if it stays under 28 mph and 100 pounds, but cities can keep it out of bike lanes and paths.
- Hills. Commutes over the West Hills or up to Mount Tabor reward a stronger motor and a battery with range to spare.
- Weight. If you'll take it on transit or carry it upstairs, a folding model helps. Check TriMet's current rules for e-bikes and electric scooters before you board with one.
- Lights. Winter commutes start and end in the dark, so built-in front and rear lights matter.
Which of our rides fit Oregon's rules?
These electric scooters top out at 20 mph or less on the maker's figures, so they fit Oregon's electric scooter definition now and after January 1, 2027. Until then, keep to 15 mph on the road.
| Electric scooter | Top speed (maker) | Range (maker) | Water rating (maker) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiboy S2 Pro | 19 mph | Up to 25 miles | IPX4 |
| Segway F3 | About 20 mph | Up to 44 miles (Eco) | IPX6 |
| Segway E2 Pro | About 18.6 mph | Up to 21.7 miles | IPX4 body, IPX6 battery |
For an e-bike, look for a Class 1, 2 or 3 label. The Hiboy C1 is a Class 2 folding e-bike with a 350W motor and a 20 mph top speed on throttle or pedal assist, on the maker's figures; as a Class 2, its rider must be 16 or older, before and after 2027.
Bought from us, each one has a one-year Wilson's warranty against manufacturing defects, and we manage the claim with the maker. Standard shipping is free to Oregon and the rest of the lower 48 (see our shipping policy). Browse commuter electric scooters and commuter e-bikes, and see e-bike classes explained.
Where can Portland riders get service?
Our shops are in New York City, San Francisco and Miami, and our technicians service every brand, wherever you bought it, with express service at every shop. If you're visiting one of those cities, walk in with no appointment. A simple inspection is always free; a full diagnosis with disassembly or test equipment is $30, waived on repairs over $100. Water and salt damage repair starts from $50, headlight and taillight repair from $35, and a flat tire repair from $40, parts and labor included. Book a repair at our New York and San Francisco shops.
Heading north? See our Washington e-bike and electric scooter laws for Vancouver and Seattle, or all our state law guides.
Frequently asked questions
Are electric scooters legal in Portland?
Yes. Electric scooters are allowed on Portland streets, in bike lanes and on multi-use paths, but not on sidewalks or in crosswalks. Until December 31, 2026, riders must be 16, wear a helmet and keep to 15 mph; from January 1, 2027, the minimum age is 14, the limit is 20 mph and helmets are required under 16.
Can you ride an electric scooter on the sidewalk in Portland?
No. PBOT prohibits riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk, and state law allows the sidewalk only to enter or leave a property. E-bikes are never allowed on Oregon sidewalks.
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in Oregon?
16 for every class until December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027, 14 for a Class 1 e-bike and 16 for Class 2 and Class 3, with an exception for younger riders in an approved bicycle safety program.
Do you need a helmet on an electric scooter in Oregon?
Yes, at every age, until December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027, the helmet rule applies to riders under 16.
How much is the Portland e-bike rebate?
Up to $1,600 for a standard e-bike, $2,350 for a cargo e-bike, $300 for accessories and $8,500 for an adaptive e-bike, for income-qualified Portland residents 18 and older. Winners are picked at random, and the rebate is used at a participating Portland retailer.
Can you take an e-bike on TriMet?
TriMet sets its own rules for e-bikes and electric scooters on buses and MAX, and space on board depends on the vehicle. Check TriMet's current rules before you ride to the stop.
Sources: Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 801 (801.150, 801.258, 801.348) and chapter 814 (814.410, 814.510 to 814.536), 2025 edition; Oregon Laws 2026, chapter 101 (HB 4007); PBOT e-scooter rules; PBOT news release, May 29, 2026; PBOT news release, August 8, 2024; Portland E-Bike Rebate; OPB, April 6, 2026. Checked November 2026.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and cities add their own rules, so check your local rules before you ride.
