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Stearns County, MN Mobility & Curb Rules: E-Bike Classes (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
Ordinance 594, County Recreational Trails
E-bike class
Treated as non-motorized (Sec. 2.5)
Trail speed cap
20 mph (Sec. 8.19)
Misdemeanor fine
$700 (Sec. 11.1)
Max jail term
90 days (Sec. 11.1)

Summary

Stearns County treats electric-assisted bicycles under Minn. Stat. Sec. 169.011, subd. 27 as non-motorized vehicles on County Recreational Trails, letting them use the same treadways as regular bicycles rather than being barred as motorized traffic under Ordinance 594.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Stearns County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

"Motorized Vehicle" means any motorized conveyance including but not limited to: cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, farm machinery, four by four's, golf carts, minibikes, dune buggies, UTV or ATV. This shall not include motorized wheelchairs or other power-driven mobility devices within the meaning of the Americans with Disability Act, 28 CFR Sec.35.104 or electric assist bicycles as defined by Minnesota Statute Sec.169.011, subd. 27.

Full Breakdown

4 to specifically exclude "electric assist bicycles as defined by Minnesota Statute Sec. 011, subd. 5 places those same e-assist bicycles inside the definition of "Non-motorized Vehicle" alongside standard bicycles, unicycles and wheelchairs. and electric-assisted bicycles as defined by Minnesota Statute Sec. 011, subd. 27," putting e-bikes on the same footing as pedal bicycles rather than under the snowmobile or motorized-vehicle rules. 1: keep to the right half of the treadway when meeting another user, pass only on the left when the way is clear, yield to a user already on the treadway being entered, and keep the vehicle under control at all times without careless or reckless operation.

19 caps the speed of "all other vehicles, motorized and non-motorized" at 20 miles per hour on the trails, a limit that applies to an e-bike since it is grouped with non-motorized traffic rather than exempted like snowmobiles. 11, so an e-bike's access can still be cut off segment by segment even though the county-wide default is open.

Violations & Fines

Ordinance 594 does not set a separate e-bike penalty; Section 11.1 makes any violation of the ordinance's provisions, including the 20 mph trail speed cap and the traffic-control rules of Section 8.1, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $700 or up to 90 days imprisonment, or both. The Stearns County Sheriff and Parks Director enforce the ordinance under Section 11.2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ride an e-bike on Stearns County recreational trails?
Yes. Ordinance 594, Section 2.5 classifies electric-assisted bicycles defined under Minn. Stat. Sec. 169.011, subd. 27 as non-motorized vehicles, and Section 8 lists them among the traffic types the trails are open to, so they ride under the same rules as pedal bicycles.
Is there a speed limit for e-bikes on the trails?
Section 8.19 sets a 20 mile per hour cap for "all other vehicles, motorized and non-motorized" on Stearns County trails, which covers an e-bike since Section 2.5 groups it with non-motorized traffic rather than exempting it like a snowmobile.
What happens if I violate the trail rules on an e-bike?
Section 11.1 of Ordinance 594 makes any violation a misdemeanor carrying a fine of $700 or up to 90 days in jail, or both, enforced by the Parks Director and the Stearns County Sheriff under Section 11.2.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stearns County

All Stearns County rules

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