CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE E-BIKES &

A legal e-bike must meet every element If one defining element is missing, the device may fall into a motor-vehicle category. ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLE Louisiana R.S. 32:1 ✓ A seat For each intended rider ✓ Qualifying wheels Two tandem wheels or a qualifying three-wheel design ✓ Operable pedals The rider can propel the bicycle ✓ Electric motor Rated at less than 750 watts ✓ Class behavior Motor operation and cutoff match Class 1, 2 or 3 4<br>

LOUISIANA’S THREE-CLASS SYSTEM The class depends on motor operation and cutoff speed Wattage alone does not determine the class; every legal class still requires a motor under 750W. CLASS 1 20 mph ASSISTED-SPEED CUTOFF PEDAL ASSIST Motor assists only while the rider pedals. CLASS 2 20 mph ASSISTED-SPEED CUTOFF THROTTLE Motor may propel the bicycle without pedaling. CLASS 3 28 mph ASSISTED-SPEED CUTOFF PEDAL ASSIST Operator must be 12+; helmet and speedometer required. 5<br>

E-BIKE OR ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE? An electric motorcycle is not a fourth e-bike class The distinction is based on the device’s legal design and operating specifications, not simply its appearance. CLASS 1, 2 OR 3 E-BIKE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE PEDALS Fully operable pedals are required. Pedals are not required. POWER Electric motor must be rated under 750W. Not limited to the e-bike threshold; typically built for substantially greater power. SPEED CONTROL Assistance must stop at 20 mph for Classes 1–2 or 28 mph for Class 3. Motor propulsion is not limited by the three e-bike assisted-speed cutoffs. LEGAL STATUS Treated as a bicycle; no motor-vehicle title, registration, plate or motorcycle endorsement. A motor vehicle. Once classified as a motorcycle, licensing/endorsement, title, registration, insurance and motorcycle equipment rules apply. If a device fails the e-bike definition, officers must determine its actual motor-vehicle category from the specifications. 6<br>

CURRENT STATE POLICY Louisiana treats a qualifying e-bike as a bicycle Act 152 of 2020 created the three classes and separated legal e-bikes from motor vehicles. RIGHTS + DUTIES E-bike riders generally have the rights and duties of bicycle riders. WHERE ALLOWED Generally permitted where bicycles are allowed, including streets, bike lanes and shared-use paths, subject to lawful restrictions. LABEL + MODIFICATION Manufacturer label must show class, top assisted speed and wattage, a class-changing modification requires a replacement label. CLASS 3 Operator must be 12+  (16+ in New Orleans), every operator/passenger must wear an approved helmet, speedometer required. NO MOTOR-VEHICLE PAPERWORK A qualifying e-bike is excluded from motor-vehicle licensing, title and registration requirements. LOCAL AUTHORITY Local agencies may regulate e-bikes on paths and trails within the authority granted by R.S. 32:204. 7<br>

CURRENT LOCAL POLICY New Orleans applies bicycle rules—but its e-bike language is outdated The City’s principal e-bike ordinance was adopted in 2019, before Louisiana created the three-class system. CITY CODE 154-1425–1435 Gives e-bikes bicycle rights and duties, addresses licensing exemptions, labeling, modification and where devices may operate. SIDEWALKS 154-1416 A person age 15 or older may not ride a bicycle/e-bike on a sidewalk citywide, sidewalk riding is prohibited in the business district regardless of age. REASONABLE SPEED 154-1417 A rider may not operate faster than is reasonable and prudent for traffic, visibility, surface and pedestrian conditions. EQUIPMENT + TRAFFIC RULES Signals, stop signs, roadway position, passenger limits, lighting, reflectors and braking rules generally apply as bicycle requirements. FACILITY-SPECIFIC RULES Posted rules may apply in parks and other facilities, part of Audubon Park has a 10-mph bicycle limit. 8<br>

HELMET REQUIREMENTS Louisiana law sets the helmet rules; New Orleans does not have additional requirements The legal minimum depends on the rider’s age and the e-bike class. Safety guidance should go beyond the minimum. ALL BICYCLES — UNDER 12 Requires operators and passengers under age 12 to wear an approved, properly fitted and fastened helmet. R.S. 32:199 CLASS 1 + CLASS 2 No statewide all-age helmet mandate applies solely because the bicycle is electric; the under-12 bicycle rule still applies. CLASS 3 — EVERY RIDER Requires every Class 3 operator and passenger, regardless of age, to wear an approved bicycle helmet. R.S. 32:204 CLASS 3 AGE LIMIT A person under age 12 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike but may ride as a passenger on a bike designed for passengers. NEW ORLEANS CODE The City’s bicycle article does not establish a broader local helmet requirement; state rules control the legal minimum. PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE Recommend a properly fitted helmet on every trip for every rider—especially as speeds, rider inexperience and traffic exposure increase. 9<br>

MOBILITY PROGRAMS New Orleans is expanding both e-bike ownership and shared access Two federally funded efforts can improve mobility—but their growth should be paired with rider education and safer streets. E-BIKE REBATES + BLUE BIKE EXPLANSION Affordable ownership • Shared access • Local retailers • Safety equipment • More neighborhoods 1 3,000 E-BIKE REBATES At least 3,000 point-of-sale rebates over five years; 2,000 are reserved for income-qualified residents. 2 $1,200 OR $600 Income-qualified residents: $1,200. Other eligible residents: $600. One rebate per adult resident. 3 SAFER PURCHASES Eligible bikes must be Class 1 or Class 2 and meet safety standards. Remaining value may buy a helmet, lights, lock and other safety equipment. 4 BLUE BIKES EXPANSION The planned expansion grows the shared e-bike fleet toward 2,000 and extends service into more neighborhoods. 5 EQUITABLE ACCESS Expansion targets Broadmoor, Central City, Upper Ninth Ward and Hoffman’s Triangle; reduced-fare membership is $4/month. 10<br>

POLICY CHANGES IN DEVELOPMENT Modernize the local ordinance and make it enforceable The City should adopt one clear classification system and connect it to procurement, data and public information. 1 ALIGN DEFINITIONS Replace obsolete two-class language with the current Class 1, 2 and 3 definitions. 2 CREATE A DEVICE TEST Adopt a plain-language identification protocol using pedals, label, wattage, throttle and cutoff speed. 3 CLARIFY FACILITY RULES State where each class may operate on City-controlled paths and publish any location-specific speed limits. 4 SET CITY PRODUCT STANDARDS Require accurate labels and  certification for City-funded purchases, rebates and contracted fleets. 5 STANDARDIZE REPORTING Add device class, throttle, modification, helmet and battery fields to police, EMS and hospital data. 6 REQUIRE ACCOUNTABILITY Report education, enforcement and injury outcomes annually. 11<br>

EDUCATION SOLUTIONS Teach classification before teaching compliance Residents need one message that explains both safe riding and whether the device is legal for bicycle facilities. CHECK FIVE THINGS Pedals • Class label • Wattage • Throttle • Assisted-speed cutoff 1 RIDERS + FAMILIES Class selection, helmet fitting, lights, passenger rules, sidewalk rules and safe charging. 2 RETAILERS Point-of-sale class verification, legal-device checklist and written battery/charger guidance. 3 SCHOOLS + YOUTH Parent-facing rules, skills training and clear limits for Class 3 operation. 4 DRIVERS Three-foot passing, safe turns, dooring prevention and yielding across bicycle facilities. 5 CITY PROGRAMS Build required safety orientation into rebates, Blue Bikes and other City-supported programs. 12<br>

Shared Use Paths

Average speed of typical users:
Adult bicyclists 12.8 mph
In-line skaters 10.1 mph
Child bicyclists 7.9 mph
Runners 6.5 mph
Pedestrians 3.4 mph

E-bike/scooter users traveling 15 mph or higher should not use paths. Lafitte Greenway 13<br>

Bike Lanes

Average speed of typical users:
Adult bicyclists 12.8 mph
Child bicyclists 7.9 mph

E-bike/scooter users should exercise caution around slower moving bicyclists and intersections. Poydras Street 14<br>

Future Bike Infrastructure Can Support E-bike Safety

DPW781 Downtown Bikeways
Invest where people are already riding
Improved bike lane access in downtown and adjoining neighborhoods
More separation between bicyclists and cars
Easier connections to more destinations
Easier connection between Lafitte Greenway and N. Rampart Street
Public engagement begins Fall 2026
Construction by 2030 15<br>

ENFORCEMENT IN ACTION NOPD recorded 110 bicycle stops since May August enforcement expanded to vehicles blocking designated bike lanes. *August data reported through August 26, 2026. 110 BICYCLE STOPS 30 BIKE-LANE PARKING
CITATIONS IN AUGUST ST. CLAUDE AVENUE Primary enforcement corridor Warnings + DOTD education for riders and motorists 16<br>