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E-Bikes have electric motors to help out with pedaling. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are engineered for 20 mph on their own, while Class 3 ones can help propel a rider up to 28 mph. At speeds like this, they can easily keep up with cars and motorcycles in city traffic. They are still classified as bicycles. But you may be surprised to find out you must give even regular bicycles the full lane, with one important exception.

In all 50 states, bicycles are expected to follow the same laws as other vehicles. And drivers of other vehicles are expected to treat them as such. So no pulling in front of a bicycle at a four-way stop, and no hogging them out of the lane.

Bicycles, and e-bikes are allowed to take up a full lane. Do note that the slowest vehicle on a multi-lane road should take the right-side lane. If this vehicle is a bicycle or e-bike, it should move over to the right. Passing vehicles should pull into the left lane, even if they are just passing a bicycle that is riding in the middle of a lane.

Bird's-eye view of e-Bikes taking more than a lane
E-Bikes | Marc Bruxelle via iStockPhoto

In a two-lane road, it is good manners to pull onto the median and let traffic pass you if you are holding up several motor vehicles. This etiquette applies to everything from tractors to bicycles. But it is not the law.

The only exception to the “bicycles can take the lane” rule is lane positioning when a single lane is more than 14 feet wide. In this extra-wide lane, bicyclists are expected to ride three feet to the right of motor vehicle traffic. In this situation, e-bikes are expected to move over with the bicyclists. Motorcycles are not. Many of these extra-wide roads have a designated bike lane marked by painted lines.

So what does following normal traffic laws mean for bicycles and e-bikes? They are not allowed to jump up onto the sidewalk or into a crosswalk–even to avoid a red light. They are also expected to use hand signals when they are going to turn.

Next, learn what to do when a slowpoke is hogging the left lane, or learn more about which traffic laws apply to bicycles in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.