How fast do electric bikes go? Class limits, real speeds and faster models

The speed limits built into each class

Most US states sort electric bikes into three classes, and each one sets the speed at which the motor stops helping.

• Class 1: up to 20 mph, pedal assist only. The motor helps while you pedal and fades out at 20 mph.
• Class 2: up to 20 mph, with a throttle. The throttle can move the bike without pedaling, but the motor stops helping at 20 mph.
• Class 3: up to 28 mph, pedal assist only. The motor keeps helping while you pedal until 28 mph.

Our guide to e-bike classes explained covers the 750 watt rule, the class label and where each class may ride.

Where the 20 mph figure comes from

The federal definition of a low-speed electric bicycle uses 20 mph too. Under 15 U.S.C. 2085, published on govinfo.gov, it is a two or three wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, whose top speed on a paved level surface, on motor power alone with a 170 lb rider, is less than 20 mph.

That rule covers how bikes are made and sold. Your state and city decide how fast and where you may ride, so check their rules too. This is general information, not legal advice.

What changes the speed you actually ride

The listed top speed is a best case. On a real ride, several things pull it down:

• Rider and cargo weight. A heavier load takes more power to move, most of all on climbs.
• Hills and headwinds. A steep climb or a strong wind can drop you well below the limit, even in the top assist level.
• Assist level. Low levels add a little help and save battery. Many bikes only reach their top assisted speed in the highest level.
• Tire pressure and tire type. Soft or knobby tires roll slower than firm, smooth ones. Fat tires grip well but take more effort to roll.

Speed also costs range. Air drag rises quickly as you go faster, so the same battery covers fewer miles at 28 mph than at 15 mph. Hiboy rates the Hiboy EX9 at 31 miles on pure electric power and 62 miles with pedal assist, both with a 143 lb rider. Our guide to electric bike battery range explains how to plan for it.

Electric bikes that top out at 20 mph or less

These suit city riding, shared paths and riders who want a calm, easy pace.

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

• Phantom P14: a folding bike with a 350W motor and a 15 mph top speed, and the listing shows UL 2849.
• Gyroor C33: a 14 inch folding bike with a 450W motor (700W peak), up to 18.6 mph, and electric, pedal assist and pedal only modes.
• Hiboy EX6: 20 mph on the throttle, and Hiboy lists up to 25 mph with pedal assist.

Class 3 speed: up to 28 mph

Class 3 suits longer road commutes, where the extra assist keeps you moving with traffic. Many of these bikes ship at 20 mph and let you raise the limit where local rules allow.

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

• Hiboy EX9: 20 mph by default, adjustable up to 28 mph with pedal assist as a class 3 bike.
• Segway Myon: listed as class 1, 2 or 3, with pedal assist up to 28 mph where allowed.
• Segway MUXI Pro: a step-through cargo bike with a switchable class and a 28 mph top speed.
• Speedway Riders Q3: a 750 W fat tire bike with a 28 mph top speed.
• NANROBOT Q5: an all-terrain bike with a top speed of about 28 mph.
• AOTOS FLUX X26: a 750W rated motor with a Boost mode up to 28 mph, for up to 10 seconds at a time.

Faster than 28 mph: outside the classes

A few models in our catalog list more speed than any class allows. That can change how the law treats them.

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

• ASAP Varna: a 750W Bafang motor and up to 30 mph.
• Riding’times GT33: a 31 mph cargo bike with class settings 1 to 3, so you can set it to match local rules.
• ASAP Zebra: a 1000W hub motor and up to 35 mph.
• WEPED F1: a moped-style bike with pedals and a top speed of about 50 mph. It is built to order and takes longer to ship.
• Phantom Cafe Max P20: a moped-style fat tire bike with a top speed of up to 52 mph and a listed minimum rider age of 16.

Depending on your state, a bike like this may count as a moped, a motor vehicle or an off-road vehicle, which can mean a license, registration and insurance, or riding on private land only. Read our sibling guides do you need a license for an electric bike and electric bike vs moped, and our guide to the electric moped for the seated models. The Segway Xyber is listed for off-road use only.

Speed in New York City

New York City has its own numbers. In the city, class 1 and class 2 e-bikes may assist up to 20 mph and class 3 up to 25 mph, below the 28 mph used in most states. Since October 24, 2025, NYC DOT has also set a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes and electric scooters on city streets and park paths in all five boroughs, whatever the bike can do.

Pick a riding mode that keeps you at 15 mph or below in the city. Our NYC e-bike laws guide covers the rest, and the NYC street legal page lists the models in our catalog that meet the city rules.

How much speed do you need?

• Short city trips and shared paths: 20 mph is plenty, and it fits class 1 and class 2.
• Longer road commutes: class 3 at 28 mph shortens the trip, if your roads allow it.
• Mixed routes: a switchable class bike lets you match the rules on each part of the ride.
• Steep hills: torque matters more than top speed. See electric bikes for hills.

Faster riding calls for disc brakes on both wheels and a good helmet. Browse every model in our electric bike shop. Every order ships free to the lower 48 states, and you can split the cost with Pay in 4 at 0% APR on models up to $2,000, or a monthly plan with Affirm, subject to approval.

Questions riders ask