Scottsdale, AZ Mobility & Curb Rules: E-Bike Classes (2026)
Key Facts
- Class 1 cutoff
- 20 mph, pedal-assist only
- Class 2 cutoff
- 20 mph, throttle allowed
- Class 3 cutoff
- 28 mph, pedal-assist only
- Minimum age for Class 3 on city property
- 16
- Class 3 on sidewalks/multi-use paths
- Banned citywide
- Underage Class 3 fine
- $100 minimum civil offense
Summary
Scottsdale Code Section 17-76 splits e-bikes into Class 1 (pedal-assist, cuts off at 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle-assist, cuts off at 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal-assist, cuts off at 28 mph). Section 17-77.1 bars anyone under 16 from riding a Class 3 on city property, and Section 17-86 bans Class 3 bikes from every city sidewalk.
Electric bicycle means a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts and that meets the requirements of one of the following classes:(a)Class 1 electric bicycle means a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle or tricycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour....(c)Class 3 electric bicycle means a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle or tricycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour....(a)No person under the age of sixteen shall operate a class three electric bicycle, a similar device that can meet or exceed twenty-one (21) mph or an electric motorcycle on city property....(c)A violation of this section is a civil traffic offense and shall be punished by a minimum fine of one hundred (100) dollars....(b)No person shall ride, park or operate a class 3 electric bicycle on any sidewalk or multi-use path within the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Section 17-76 defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals and a motor under 750 watts, sorted into three classes by how the motor behaves: Class 1 gives pedal assistance only, cutting off at 20 mph; Class 2 can propel the bike by throttle alone but also cuts off at 20 mph; Class 3 gives pedal assistance up to a higher cutoff of 28 mph. Because Class 3 bikes are faster, the City layers extra restrictions on them. 1, added by Ordinance No.
4680 effective July 1, 2025, makes it unlawful for anyone under 16 to operate a Class 3 electric bicycle, a similar device capable of 21 mph or more, or an electric motorcycle on city property; it separately requires any electric motorcycle ridden on a city roadway to be titled and registered with the State of Arizona. 3 require retailers to post a notice at the point of sale that Class 3 bikes cannot be used by anyone under 16 and that electric motorcycles need state titling and registration, and to permanently label every Class 3 bike as such before sale.
On top of the age rule, Section 17-86(b) bans riding, parking, or operating a Class 3 electric bicycle on any sidewalk or multi-use path anywhere in the city, a restriction that does not apply to Class 1 or Class 2 bikes. Riders of any e-bike class must otherwise obey the rules of the road under Section 17-80 and the speed standard in Section 17-84 (no faster than is reasonable and prudent for conditions).
Violations & Fines
Riding a Class 3 e-bike underage on city property, or riding one on a sidewalk, is a civil traffic offense under Section 17-77.1(c) with a minimum $100 fine. Retailers who skip the required point-of-sale notice or label face a petty offense with a minimum $100 fine under Sections 17-77.2(d) and 17-77.3(c). General Division 1 violations otherwise escalate under Section 17-88: $50 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and a class one misdemeanor with at least a $1,000 fine (or a $500 civil fine at the City's option) for a third within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the e-bike classes in Scottsdale?
Can a teenager ride a Class 3 e-bike in Scottsdale?
Are Class 3 e-bikes allowed on Scottsdale sidewalks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scottsdale
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