In New Hampshire, an e-bike has working pedals and a motor of less than 750 watts, in Class 1, 2 or 3. It needs no license, registration, title, plate or insurance, and it follows the bicycle rules. Riders under 16 must wear a helmet on any e-bike, under 16s can't ride a Class 3 at all, and Class 3 riders and passengers under 18 need a helmet. New Hampshire has no legal category for stand-up electric scooters, so towns such as Manchester set their own rules.
We ship electric scooters and e-bikes to riders across the country, New Hampshire included. Here are the state rules, where each one is written in the Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA), and what applies on state trails. The official sources are listed at the end.
New Hampshire e-bike and electric scooter rules at a glance
| Rule | E-bike | Stand-up electric scooter |
|---|---|---|
| Where the law is | RSA 259:27-a (definition) and 265:144-a (rules) | No state definition |
| What counts | Working pedals and a motor of less than 750 watts, in Class 1, 2 or 3 | Not defined in state law |
| License, registration, insurance | None | No state rule |
| Minimum age | None for Class 1 and 2; 16 for Class 3 | No state rule; Manchester sets 16 |
| Helmet | Under 16 on any e-bike; under 18 on a Class 3, riders and passengers | No specific rule; we recommend one at every age |
| Bicycle and multi-use paths | Class 1 and 2 allowed unless banned; Class 3 only next to a road, unless allowed | Set by the path's manager |
What are the e-bike classes in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire adopted the three-class system in 2019 (RSA 259:27-a). An e-bike is a pedaled vehicle with an electric motor of less than 750 watts, in one of three classes:
- Class 1: the motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph.
- Class 2: the motor can move the e-bike on its own and stops helping at 20 mph.
- Class 3: the motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 28 mph. It must have a speedometer.
The limit is less than 750 watts, so an e-bike rated at exactly 750 watts doesn't fit New Hampshire's definition. Since January 1, 2020, makers and distributors must put a permanent label on each e-bike showing its class, top assisted speed and motor wattage, and changing an e-bike's speed or how the motor engages is illegal unless the label is replaced to match (RSA 265:144-a). See e-bike classes explained for how the classes compare across the states.
Do you need a license or registration for an e-bike in New Hampshire?
No. An e-bike and its rider aren't subject to the state's rules on driver's licenses, registration, certificates of title, license plates, financial responsibility (insurance) or off-highway recreational vehicles, and an e-bike isn't a motor vehicle for those purposes (RSA 265:144-a). New Hampshire's definitions of moped, motorcycle and motor-driven cycle all leave out electric bicycles (RSA 259:57, 259:63 and 259:65).
E-bike riders have the same rights and duties as bicycle riders. That includes riding on the right when slower than traffic, and wearing at least one reflective item, such as a vest or helmet strip, from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise (RSA 265:144).
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in New Hampshire?
For Class 1 and Class 2, New Hampshire sets no minimum age. For Class 3, the rider must be 16 or older; a younger rider may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 built to carry one (RSA 265:144-a).
Do you need a helmet on an e-bike in New Hampshire?
Under 16, yes, on any e-bike: New Hampshire requires anyone under 16 riding a bicycle on a public way to wear a helmet (RSA 265:144), and e-bike riders carry the same duties as bicycle riders. On a Class 3, the rule reaches further: every rider or passenger under 18 must wear a properly fitted, fastened bicycle helmet that meets the CPSC or ASTM standard (RSA 265:144-a).
Adults aren't required to wear one, and we recommend a helmet on every ride; see helmets and safety gear.
Where can you ride an e-bike in New Hampshire?
Wherever a bicycle can go, with limits on paths (RSA 265:144-a):
- Class 1 and Class 2 may use bicycle paths and multi-use paths where bicycles are allowed, unless the city, town or state agency in charge of that path bans them.
- Class 3 may use a bicycle or multi-use path only if it runs within or next to a road, or if the agency in charge allows it.
- Natural-surface trails marked non-motorized aren't covered by those defaults; the town or agency that manages the trail decides.
On sidewalks, state law has a general rule against driving a vehicle on a sidewalk (RSA 265:26-a), and cities and towns can make their own bicycle ordinances (RSA 265:149), so check local rules and plan to ride in the street. You may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless a sign says otherwise, as long as it doesn't block people walking (RSA 265:152).
Can you ride an e-bike on New Hampshire rail trails and state parks?
Yes, with class limits. On land managed by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), which runs the state parks, state forests and state-owned rail trails:
- Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may use DNCR trails wherever regular bicycles are allowed.
- Class 3 e-bikes are allowed only on Class III recreational roads, park roads and rail trails.
- Speed: DNCR sets a 20 mph limit on its properties unless signs say otherwise (rule Ncr 731.32(b)).
If you aren't sure whether e-bikes are allowed on a particular trail network, DNCR asks riders to contact that property's manager.
Are electric scooters legal in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire law doesn't have a category for stand-up electric scooters. The state defines electric bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, but none of those was written for a folding electric scooter, and the state requires no registration or license specifically for one. Lawmakers have tried to fix that: a 2025 bill, House Bill 715, would have defined "personal electric vehicles" such as electric scooters, electric unicycles and electric skateboards, with safety training for riders under 16, but the House killed it in March 2025.
That leaves towns to set the rules. Manchester's ordinance on stand-up motorized electric scooters sets a minimum age of 16. Before you ride your own electric scooter, check your town's ordinances, and wear a helmet whatever your age.
What about faster e-bikes and electric dirt bikes?
An electric two-wheeler with a motor of 750 watts or more, or without working pedals, isn't an e-bike in New Hampshire, so the no-license, no-registration treatment doesn't cover it. Electric dirt bikes such as Surron and Talaria models have no pedals and far more power, so they aren't e-bikes; they're built for private land and designated off-road areas. See is a Surron street legal? and our electric dirt bikes.
Which of our e-bikes fit New Hampshire's rules?
Look for a Class 1, 2 or 3 label and a motor under 750 watts. These fit, on the maker's own figures:
| E-bike | Motor (rated) | Assist and throttle (maker) | New Hampshire class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiboy C1 | 350W | Up to 20 mph on throttle and pedal assist | Class 2 |
| Segway Myon | 500W | Class 1 and 2 at 20 mph; Class 3 pedal assist up to 28 mph | Class 1, 2 or 3, by setting |
On its Class 3 setting, the Myon follows the Class 3 rules: riders 16 and older, helmets under 18, and only paths next to a road or rail trails where allowed. 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 New Hampshire and the rest of the lower 48 (see our shipping policy). Browse commuter e-bikes, or electric scooters if your town allows them.
Where can New Hampshire riders get service?
Our nearest shops are in New York City, and we also have shops in San Francisco and Miami. Our technicians service every brand, wherever you bought it, with express service at every shop. If you're in New York, 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. Brake repair starts from $25, a flat tire repair from $40 and a tune-up and safety check from $50, parts and labor included. Book a repair at our New York and San Francisco shops.
Compare other states in our Rhode Island, New York State and New Jersey guides, or see all our state law guides.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for an e-bike in New Hampshire?
No. A Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike with a motor under 750 watts needs no driver's license, registration, title, plate or insurance in New Hampshire.
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in New Hampshire?
There's no minimum age for Class 1 and Class 2. You must be 16 to ride a Class 3 e-bike.
Do you need a helmet on an e-bike in New Hampshire?
Riders under 16 must wear one on any e-bike, and riders and passengers under 18 must wear one on a Class 3. Adults aren't required to.
Can you ride an e-bike on New Hampshire rail trails?
On state-managed rail trails, yes: DNCR allows Class 1 and 2 wherever bicycles go, and Class 3 on rail trails, park roads and Class III recreational roads, with a 20 mph limit unless signed otherwise.
Are electric scooters legal in New Hampshire?
State law has no category for stand-up electric scooters, so towns set the rules. Manchester's ordinance sets a minimum age of 16. A 2025 bill to define them failed.
Can a Class 3 e-bike go on a bike path in New Hampshire?
Only on a bicycle or multi-use path within or next to a road, unless the town or agency in charge allows it. State rail trails managed by DNCR allow Class 3.
Sources: New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 259:27-a, 259:57, 259:63, 259:65, 265:26-a, 265:144, 265:144-a, 265:149 and 265:152; NH State Parks, biking (DNCR rule Ncr 731.32); House Bill 715 (2025 session); City of Manchester, motorized electric scooter ordinance. Checked November 2026.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and towns add their own rules, so check your local rules before you ride.
