Milton police clarify which electric bikes are legal and warn higher-powered models may be treated as motor vehicles

Sergeant Little of the Milton Police Department’s traffic unit and Officer Peishock, the department’s school liaison, issued a public safety statement clarifying which electric two-wheeled vehicles are legal under Georgia law and urging residents to check specifications before riding.

"Not everything with a battery and 2 wheels is legal to ride on our streets, sidewalks, or private parking lots," Sergeant Little said, adding the department sees confusion about how to classify electric bikes. "An electric bike is treated like a regular bicycle if it meets a few key requirements. It must have working bridal, the motor must not exceed 750 watts, and cannot go faster than 20 miles per hour on motor alone." He said bikes that meet those standards may be ridden on roads where bicycles are allowed and in bike lanes, but must obey all traffic laws.

Officer Peishock underscored the department’s safety focus and the role of education for families and students. "We want parents and riders to clearly understand what is legal and what is not under Georgia law," she said. The officers said helmets are strongly encouraged to reduce the risk of serious injury.

They warned that vehicles with no pedals, those capable of exceeding 20 mph under motor power, or those built to look or operate like motorcycles or dirt bikes are not considered bicycles under Georgia law. "Those vehicles are classified as motor driven vehicles or motorcycles, which means very different rules apply to them," Sergeant Little said.

To operate on public roadways, officers said, such motor-driven vehicles must meet full street-legal requirements: registration, a valid license plate, insurance, a valid driver’s license for the rider, and required equipment such as headlights, brake lights and turn signals. The department noted that most of the electric motorcycles they encounter do not meet those requirements.

"If you are considering buying an electric bike or already own one, take the time to check the specifications and make sure it's legal for where you plan to ride it," Sergeant Little said, and invited residents to contact the Milton Police Department with questions.

Officer Peishock closed by thanking viewers for watching and for helping keep the community safe.