Laws by state / Wisconsin
Wisconsin
What Wisconsin'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. A bicycle with working pedals and a motor of 750 W or less. Class 1: pedal-assist to 20 mph. Class 2: throttle, to 20 mph. Class 3: pedal-assist to 28 mph. Same rights and duties as a bicycle; not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed
Bicycle rules apply: ride as close as practicable to the right edge when slower than traffic; two abreast allowed if not impeding traffic.
Bike lane
Allowed
Bicycle rules apply.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Bicycles may use sidewalks only where local authorities permit it; riders must yield to pedestrians.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
May ride with the motor on bikeways managed by the DNR, a city or a county, or the state DOT, subject to their rules or ordinances.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 16 (younger riders may be passengers).
- Speed limit or cap
- 20 mph motor assist (Class 1 and 2), 28 mph (Class 3)
- Motor power cap
- 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- Exempt from financial responsibility, operator's license, registration and title requirements.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: Wis. Stat. 340.01(15ph), (35); 346.806; 346.80; 346.804
- Wis. Stat. 340.01 (Definitions: bicycle lane, electric bicycle, electric scooter, EPAMD, motor vehicle)
- Wis. Stat. 346.806 (Special rules for electric bicycles)
- Wis. Stat. 346.80 (Riding bicycle, electric scooter, EPAMD on roadway)
- Wis. Stat. 346.804 (Riding bicycle on sidewalk)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Electric scooter": under 100 lb, handlebars, electric motor and human power, top motor speed 20 mph. Considered a motor vehicle only where a statute says so specifically.
Road
Local rules decide
Allowed on roadways open to bicycles, at up to 15 mph, riding near the right edge. Cities and counties may restrict or ban scooters on roads posted over 25 mph.
Bike lane
Allowed
Bicycle lanes are defined to include electric scooters; up to 15 mph.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Allowed on sidewalks by default, yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists and signaling before passing. Cities and counties may restrict or ban sidewalk use.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Allowed on bicycle paths at up to 15 mph; cities and counties may restrict or ban use on bicycle ways.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- 15 mph riding speed (device max 20 mph)
- Motor power cap
- None in statute (100 lb weight limit)
- License, registration, insurance
- Not addressed in these sections; a scooter counts as a motor vehicle only where a statute says so specifically.
- Also worth knowing
- Cities and counties may regulate scooter rental and parking, and may restrict or ban short-term commercial rentals.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: Wis. Stat. 340.01(5e), (15ps), (35); 346.80; 346.803; 346.805; 346.94(18s); 349.237
- Wis. Stat. 340.01 (Definitions: bicycle lane, electric bicycle, electric scooter, EPAMD, motor vehicle)
- Wis. Stat. 346.80 (Riding bicycle, electric scooter, EPAMD on roadway)
- Wis. Stat. 346.803 (Riding on bicycle way)
- Wis. Stat. 346.805 (Electric scooter or EPAMD on sidewalk)
- Wis. Stat. 346.94 (Miscellaneous prohibited acts, incl. (18s) electric scooters)
- Wis. Stat. 349.237 (Local authority to regulate electric scooters)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no Wisconsin 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 electric skateboards. The 'electric scooter' definition (Wis. Stat. 340.01(15ps)) requires handlebars.
Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Wisconsin 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 electric unicycles. The 'electric scooter' definition requires handlebars, and the EPAMD definition (340.01(15pm)) requires two side-by-side wheels.