Laws by state / Indiana
Indiana
What Indiana's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: Three-class system: bicycle with working pedals and an assist motor of 750 W or less. Class 1 (pedal assist) and Class 2 (throttle) stop at 20 mph; Class 3 (pedal assist) at 28 mph. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed
Regulated as a bicycle, with a bicycle rider's rights and duties; may go wherever bicycles may travel.
Bike lane
Allowed
May go wherever bicycles are permitted.
Sidewalk
Not addressed in statute
No state rule on sidewalk riding; e-bikes may go wherever bicycles are permitted.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Class 1/2 allowed on bike and multipurpose paths unless a statute, rule or local ordinance says otherwise. Class 3 only on paths within or next to a roadway, or where the managing agency allows. Agencies may regulate e-bikes on natural-surface non-motorized trails.
- Helmet
- Class 3: required for operators and passengers under 18. Not addressed for Class 1/2.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 15 (younger riders may be passengers on a Class 3 built for one). None for Class 1/2.
- Speed limit or cap
- Motor assist stops at 20 mph (Class 1/2) or 28 mph (Class 3).
- Motor power cap
- 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- No driver's license, insurance (financial responsibility), title or registration.
- Also worth knowing
- Since Jan. 1, 2020 manufacturers must label class, top assisted speed and wattage; modified bikes must be relabeled. Text from the 2025 Indiana Code as published on Justia (the official IGA site is a JavaScript app that could not be fetched); 2026 amendments not checked.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: IC 9-13-2-49.2; IC 9-13-2-26.6 to 26.8; IC 9-13-2-105; IC 9-21-11-13.1
- IC 9-21-11-13.1 (Electric bicycles) - Justia
- IC 9-13-2-49.2 (Electric bicycle definition) - Justia
- IC 9-13-2-105 (Motor vehicle definition) - Justia
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Electric foot scooter": up to 100 lb, no more than three wheels, handlebars and a floorboard to stand on, electric motor with a top speed of 20 mph or less on level pavement. Not a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motor driven cycle.
Road
Allowed
Bicycle rights and duties; may be ridden where bicycles may go, subject to local rules. Never on interstate highways.
Bike lane
Allowed
May be ridden where bicycles may go, subject to local rules.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
No state riding rule; scooters may go where bicycles may, subject to local rules. Sidewalk parking allowed if it doesn't block pedestrians; cities may ban sidewalk parking if they provide nearby alternatives.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
May be ridden where bicycles may go, subject to local ordinance.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- 20 mph (device limit).
- Motor power cap
- None in statute.
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license or registration provisions apply.
- Also worth knowing
- Front white light and rear red light or reflector required at night; brakes required. Text from the 2025 Indiana Code on Justia; 2026 amendments not checked.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: IC 9-13-2-49.4; IC 9-13-2-105; IC 9-21-11-13.6
- IC 9-21-11-13.6 (Electric foot scooters) - Justia
- IC 9-13-2-49.4 (Electric foot scooter definition) - Justia
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no Indiana statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category.
Checked October 26, 2026
Something wrong in this section? Tell us.Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Indiana statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. EPAMD covers only self-balancing devices with two side-by-side wheels, so electric unicycles are not covered.