Travis County, TX Mobility & Curb Rules: E-Bike Classes (2026)
Key Facts
- Class 1/2 cutoff speed
- 20 mph pedal or throttle assist
- Class 3 cutoff speed
- 28 mph, pedal-assist only
- Trail access
- Class 1 and 2 only on trails
- Golf carts/other EVs
- Sidewalks only, not bike trails
- Motor limit
- Under 750 watts to qualify
- Section
- Travis County Code § 232.017
Summary
Travis County classifies e-bikes by motor behavior, not just speed: Class 1 and 2 top out pedal- or throttle-assist at 20 mph, Class 3 assists to 28 mph. Only Class 1 and 2 e-bikes may use designated county park bicycle trails; Class 3 bikes are excluded from those trails. Golf carts and other electrified conveyances are restricted to sidewalks wide enough to share safely with pedestrians.
Class 1 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Class 2 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Class 3 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles are permitted on designated bicycle trails and must be operated in a manner so as not to be a danger to others or damage the environment or grass surfaces. Other electrified conveyances, including golf carts and other multi-wheel electric vehicles, are only permitted to operate on sidewalks with sufficient width to accommodate the conveyance while not interfering with the flow of pedestrian traffic.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 232 of the Travis County Code, the Park Rules subchapter covering every county-operated park, defines an e-bike as a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and a motor under 750 watts (Sec. 017(a)). The county splits e-bikes into three Consumer Product Safety Act classes: Class 1 assists only while pedaling and cuts off at 20 mph; Class 2 can propel the bike without pedaling but also cuts off at 20 mph; Class 3 assists only while pedaling but continues to the higher 28 mph threshold.
Trail access turns on that class split: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are permitted on designated bicycle trails within county parks, provided they're ridden so as not to endanger others or damage grass or the environment. Class 3 e-bikes are not listed among the trail-permitted classes, so a Class 3 rider should check park-specific signage rather than assume trail access. A separate rule covers other electrified conveyances, including golf carts and multi-wheel electric vehicles: those may only operate on sidewalks wide enough to carry them without blocking pedestrian flow, not on the bicycle trails themselves.
The section explicitly does not apply to electric motor vehicles already licensed for public roadways. Any of these conveyances can be barred entirely from a specific park through posted signage. Because Texas counties cannot zone, this park rule is Travis County's only codified e-bike classification; it governs county park trails only, not roads or sidewalks elsewhere in unincorporated Travis County.
Violations & Fines
Violating the trail-class rule, for example riding a Class 3 e-bike on a trail signed for Class 1/2 only, or driving a golf cart off the sidewalk, falls under the general park-rules enforcement in Sec. 232.010: Travis County Park Rangers, who are commissioned peace officers, can evict the rider for at least 48 hours and issue a criminal trespass warning under Penal Code Chapter 30.05. Appeals go to tcpp@traviscountytx.gov within seven days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a Class 3 e-bike on Travis County park trails?
Are golf carts allowed in Travis County parks?
What is the difference between e-bike classes in Travis County parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas mobility & curb rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.