Albuquerque, NM Mobility & Curb Rules: E-Bike Classes (2026)
Key Facts
- Class 1 & 2 top assist speed
- 20 mph, motor ≤750 watts
- Class 3 top assist speed
- 28 mph, pedal-assist only
- Streets & paths
- All 3 classes allowed unless posted
- Sidewalks
- Barred near bikeway or in business district
- Open Space trails
- All 3 classes allowed unless posted closed
Summary
Albuquerque defines e-bikes by motor wattage and speed cutoff, Class 1 and 2 stop assisting at 20 mph, Class 3 at 28 mph, then lets all three classes ride identically on streets, bike lanes, and open space trails unless signage says otherwise.
CLASS 3 ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLE. An electric-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour. ... Bicycles, Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes, and powered micromobility devices are permitted on any street or path, unless prohibited in accordance with the provisions in Subsection B below.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-95: Current through Ordinance 2026-010, passed 4-6-2026).
Full Breakdown
The Revised Ordinances define three e-bike classes: Class 1 and Class 2 assist up to 20 mph (pedal-only vs. throttle-capable), Class 3 assists up to 28 mph but only while pedaling (§ 8-1-1-2). Under § 8-3-3-6, all three classes are treated the same as bicycles, permitted on any street or path unless the Mayor posts signs barring bikes. § 8-3-3-15 lets riders use sidewalks only where there is no adjacent bikeway or multi-use trail, no posted ban, and outside business districts. On Open Space trails, § 5-8-8 allows Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes wherever bicycles are allowed unless signage or a shared-use agreement says otherwise; stand-alone micromobility devices are limited to paved trails there.
Violations & Fines
Riding where posted signs bar e-bikes from a street or sidewalk under § 8-3-3-6 or § 8-3-3-15 is a petty misdemeanor under the Traffic Code's general penalty, § 8-1-3-99: up to a $500 fine, 90 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a Class 3 e-bike on Albuquerque streets?
Are e-bikes allowed on Albuquerque's Open Space trails?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albuquerque
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