One might think that Hawaii has the perfect environment for riding motorized bikes or scooters around. Interestingly, Hawaii is still primarily using cars to get around, even though it has high gas prices. But scooters are rising a bit in popularity due to their handiness.
According to federal law, e-bikes are defined as bikes that have a motor no bigger than 750 watts, and that have a top speed of 20 MPH on level ground.
In Hawaii, e-bikes are considered bicycles and are subject to the same laws and regulations as traditional bicycles. This includes using lights and reflectors at night, and following traffic laws. Additionally, riders under 16 years of age are required to wear a helmet.
Unlike some other states, there are currently no specific laws in Hawaii regarding the classification of e-bikes based on their power output and top assisted speed.
It's important to note that local regulations may vary, so it's always best to check with your local authorities for more information.
Perhaps one of the reasons motor-assisted cycles aren't seen more often in Hawaii is because you need to register them with the county. Moped registration tends to be less than it is for motorized scooters, since scooters are treated very similar to motorcycles.
When riding a moped in Hawaii, you must obey the following regulations:
In order for a motor-driven cycle to be considered a moped, it must:
If your vehicle exceeds the above specifications, then it is likely categorized as a motorcycle, and must follow all of the motorcycle laws and regulations.
Motorized scooters are treated similar to motorcycles. In fact, the laws and regulations are essential the same for both motorcycles and scooters; you must have a valid motorcycle license and carry the minimum required insurance.
We've got you covered. Click the button below to see a list of e-bikes that don't require any license or registration to ride on public roads in Hawaii:
