Laws by state / Montana
Montana
What Montana's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: "Electrically assisted bicycle": two tandem wheels and an electric motor that can propel a 170-lb rider no faster than 20 mph on level pavement. No class system. Legally a bicycle.
Road
Allowed
Treated as a bicycle, with the same rights and duties as other vehicle drivers.
Bike lane
Allowed
Bicycle rules apply, including on paths set aside for bicycles.
Sidewalk
Allowed
Bicycles may use sidewalks unless signs prohibit it; must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing.
Paths and trails
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed in statute.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- 20 mph motor-assisted (with a 170-lb rider on level pavement)
- Motor power cap
- None in statute
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license or registration in statute.
- Also worth knowing
- A device that exceeds the 20 mph definition may instead be a moped (2 brake hp, 30 mph max, pedals) under MCA 61-8-102(14).
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: MCA 61-8-102(2), (7); MCA 61-1-101(41); MCA 61-8-608
- MCA 61-8-102 (Definitions: bicycle, electrically assisted bicycle, moped, motorized scooter)
- MCA 61-8-608 (Bicycles, mopeds, or motorized scooters on sidewalks and bike lanes)
- MCA 61-1-101 (Definitions: motor vehicle)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Motorized scooter": a vehicle without a seat, powered in whole or part by an engine or motor that cannot exceed 30 mph on level ground. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed
Allowed on highways and their shoulders under power, with the same rights and duties as other drivers.
Bike lane
Allowed
May be operated under power in a designated bicycle lane on a highway.
Sidewalk
Allowed with limits
Only under human power (motor off). Never under power on a sidewalk; also barred where signs prohibit it.
Paths and trails
Allowed with limits
On bicycle paths only under human power, not under motor power.
- Helmet
- Required for riders and passengers under 18 on streets or highways.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- Device may not be capable of more than 30 mph
- Motor power cap
- None in statute
- License, registration, insurance
- Excluded from the 'motor vehicle' definition; statute sets no license or registration.
- Also worth knowing
- Lights required at dawn, dusk and night (white front, red rear lamp or reflector, side reflectors); brakes must stop within 25 ft from 10 mph. Rules updated by 2025 law (Ch. 693, HB 588).
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: MCA 61-8-102(15); MCA 61-1-101(46); MCA 61-8-601 to 61-8-609; MCA 61-9-417
- MCA 61-8-102 (Definitions: motorized scooter)
- MCA 61-8-601 (Effect of regulations)
- MCA 61-8-602 (Traffic laws applicable to bicycles, mopeds, motorized scooters)
- MCA 61-8-607 (Lamps and other equipment)
- MCA 61-8-608 (Sidewalks and bike lanes)
- MCA 61-9-417 (Headgear required for minor riders)
- MCA 61-1-101 (Definitions: motor vehicle, motorized scooter)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
How the law defines it: "Motorized nonstandard vehicle": self-powered (engine or electric motor), wheelbase under 40 in and wheels under 10 in, with no federal manufacturer certification or VIN. Expressly includes a "motorized skateboard".
Road
Local rules decide
Banned on all public ways unless a county, city or town ordinance specifically allows it.
Bike lane
Local rules decide
Banned on all public ways unless a county, city or town ordinance specifically allows it.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Banned on all public ways unless a county, city or town ordinance specifically allows it.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Banned on all public ways unless a county, city or town ordinance specifically allows it.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- None in statute
- Motor power cap
- None in statute
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license or registration in statute.
- Also worth knowing
- Overlap: the 'motorized scooter' definition (any seatless powered vehicle, 30 mph max) could also describe a board, and the nonstandard-vehicle definition excludes motorized scooters. The statute does not resolve this. A board with wheels 10 in or larger (some Onewheel-style boards) falls outside the nonstandard-vehicle definition.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: MCA 61-1-101(45); MCA 61-8-375
- MCA 61-1-101 (Definitions: motorized nonstandard vehicle)
- MCA 61-8-375 (Unlawful operation of motorized nonstandard vehicle)
Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Montana 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. No statute names unicycles. The 'motorized scooter' definition (MCA 61-8-102(15): a seatless vehicle powered by a motor, 30 mph max) may reach an electric unicycle, but the statute does not say so. The EPAMD definition requires two wheels, so it does not apply.
Checked October 26, 2026
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