Electric Bicycle (E-Bike) Safety & Regulations

• Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.
• Obey all applicable traffic laws when riding on roadways.
• Yield to pedestrians when riding where sidewalk or crosswalk use is permitted.
• Ride at a safe speed and use caution near vehicles, pedestrians, driveways, intersections, and crossings.
• Use lights and reflectors when riding at night.
• Make sure your e-bike is properly equipped, labeled, and in safe operating condition.

E-Bike Classification Chart

City of Gladstone, Missouri - Ordinance No. 4.734

• All e-bike riders on City roadways are subject to applicable traffic laws.
• Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may only operate on roadways with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less, except when riding on a marked paved shoulder or designated bike lane.
• Class 3 e-bikes may not operate on streets or highways with a posted speed limit greater than 45 mph.
• Riders traveling slower than the flow of traffic must ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safely practicable.
• Exceptions to riding right include:
  • Making a left turn
  • Avoiding a hazard
  • When the lane is too narrow to safely share with another vehicle
  • When riding on a one-way street

• Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may operate on sidewalks and crosswalks.
• Class 1 and Class 2 riders must yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians.
• Riders must give an audible signal before overtaking or passing a pedestrian.
• Class 3 e-bikes may not operate on sidewalks or crosswalks.

• Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may be ridden on multi-use paths where bicycles are permitted.
• Class 3 e-bikes may not be ridden on multi-use paths or trails.
• No e-bike may be operated on trails designated solely for pedestrian use.
• No e-bike may be operated on trails where the posted permitted use is inconsistent with e-bike use.

• E-bikes must meet the applicable minimum safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512).
• E-bikes must display the required class designation label as required under Section 307.194 RSMo.
• Brakes must be capable of stopping the e-bike within 25 feet from a speed of 10 mph on dry, level, clean pavement.
• No person may tamper with or modify an e-bike to change its motor-powered speed capability or engagement unless the label is replaced to reflect the new classification.
• If the classification is altered, the e-bike must be operated in accordance with all regulations applicable to its new classification.

From one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, e-bikes operated on any street or highway must be equipped with all of the following:

• A white front-facing lamp visible at night on a straight, level, unlighted roadway at 500 feet
• A rear-facing red reflector (at least 2 sq. in.) or red lamp visible at 600 feet under vehicle low beams
• Reflective material or lights on the rider's pedals, crank arms, shoes, or lower legs, visible at 200 feet under vehicle low beams
• Reflective material or lights visible on each side of the bicycle or rider at 300 feet under vehicle low beams

• Every person operating or riding as a passenger on an e-bike upon any roadway, alleyway, or public right-of-way within City limits must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet with straps securely fastened.
• A bicycle helmet must meet or exceed recognized safety standards, including those from:
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  • Snell Memorial Foundation
  • American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
• No parent, custodian, or legal guardian of a person age 16 or under may knowingly permit that person to operate or ride as a passenger on an e-bike within City limits without a required helmet.

A uniformed City Police Officer may stop and inspect an e-bike at any time when there is reasonable cause to believe the e-bike is:

• Unsafe or improperly equipped
• Not in proper adjustment or repair
• Otherwise not compliant with applicable requirements

• Any person 17 years of age or older who violates these e-bike regulations is guilty of a municipal ordinance violation, punishable by a fine of $25.00.
• A violation does not constitute a crime and does not result in any disability or legal disadvantage based on a criminal offense conviction.
• If a person under 17 violates the regulations in the presence of a police officer, the officer may:
  • Impound the e-bike for up to 5 days
  • Issue a receipt to the child or the e-bike's owner

Please direct any questions regarding these regulations to the Gladstone Police Department.

• Address: 7010 N Holmes Street, Gladstone, MO 64118