Laws by state / Rhode Island
Rhode Island
What Rhode Island's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: "Electric motorized bicycle" ("electric bicycle"): two wheels, human and/or electric power, motor up to 2 hp, top speed 28 mph. Three classes: Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle to 20 mph, Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed
Same rights and duties as other drivers. May use highway shoulders except on highways that ban bicyclists.
Bike lane
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed in statute.
Sidewalk
Not addressed in statute
Not addressed statewide. The sidewalk permission in 31-19-11 covers human-powered vehicles and EPAMDs, not e-bikes. E-bikes are banned from sidewalks and crosswalks in New Shoreham (Block Island).
Paths and trails
Allowed with limits
Class 1 allowed on state bicycle trails and paths. The Department of Environmental Management may set rules for e-bikes on other properties it manages.
- Helmet
- Required for riders and passengers under 21.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- 20 mph motor assist (Class 1 and 2), 28 mph (Class 3)
- Motor power cap
- 2 hp (about 1,490 W)
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license or registration in statute.
- Also worth knowing
- Class system added in 2024 (P.L. 2024, ch. 172 and 173).
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: R.I. Gen. Laws 31-1-3(g), (u); 31-19-3; 31-19-12; 31-19.7-1; 31-19.7-2; 31-19.7-3
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-1-3 (Definitions: bicycle, electric motorized bicycle, EPAMD, motor vehicle)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19-3 (Applicability of traffic laws)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19-11 (Bicycles on sidewalks and crosswalks)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19-12 (Sidewalks: rights and duties; New Shoreham ban)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19.7-1 (E-bike classes)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19.7-2 (E-bikes on state properties)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19.7-3 (Helmets for e-bike riders under 21)
E-scooters
Not addressed in statute. We found no Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island has no stand-up e-scooter definition. 'Motor scooter' (31-1-3(t)) is a moped-type motor-driven cycle (up to 4.9 hp/50 cc, 30 mph) that requires a driver's license and minimum age 16 (31-19.1-1); the statute does not say whether stand-up e-scooters fall under it. A helmet rule for 'scooter' riders 15 and younger (31-19-2.1) does not say whether it covers electric scooters.
Checked October 26, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-1-3 (Definitions: bicycle, electric motorized bicycle, EPAMD, motor vehicle)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19-2.1 (Helmets for riders 15 and younger, incl. skateboards and scooters)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 31-19.1-1 (License required for motorized bicycle or motor scooter)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no Rhode Island 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. Electric skateboards are not named. Riders 15 and younger on a 'skateboard' must wear a helmet (31-19-2.1), but the statute does not say whether this covers electric boards.
Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Rhode Island 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. The self-balancing device (EPAMD) definition (31-1-3(h)) requires two side-by-side wheels, so it does not cover a one-wheel device.