Almost everyone has seen or experienced the dangers on rail trails and roads with Personal Electric Vehicles (PEVs) going too fast for safety of the users and all they encounter. Whether a lack of understanding, care, or enforcement, the issues are real and the result is many people being scared, injured, or killed.
The major problem started about ten years ago when e-bikes became more popular. In 2019 New Hampshire implemented HB-148 that made “true e-bikes” (Class 1,2,3) legal and regulated with them still being classified as “bicycles.” No license or registration, just common sense bicycle rules like wearing a helmet for riders under 16. The current problem involves high-speed “electric motorcycles with pedals” (e-motos) that are being sold and used as if they were e-bikes. Technology advances faster than education and legislation but times are changing!
With thanks to the Bike-Walk Alliance of NH (BWANH) (NHRTC’s fiscal sponsor) and the NH Department of Safety (NHDOS), three major areas are being addressed: education, legislation, and enforcement.
Education is being addressed via a comprehensive bike, e-bike, e-moto training package developed by BWANH and vetted by NHDOS. The first phase is aimed at municipalities and law enforcement officers so they will know how to identify the various devices and what is legal. This Personal Electric Vehicle (PEV) training program will be conducted in-person by LAB/BWANH certified instructors and funded via a grant from the NHDOS Office of Highway Safety. Roll-out began on October 1 when the 2027 Federal fiscal started. See the linked file for more details about this training program.
Legislation for 2027 will continue from where HB-1410 stopped in February 2026, that bill moved to Interim Study. Because PEVs are being used “everywhere” – legally or not – multiple state agencies are involved to update the laws (RSAs) to allow enforcement then determine how the NH Division of Motor Vehicles can register street-legal devices that can be used on roads, rail trails, and bike paths. The two 1410 Work Sessions were held on August 27 and October 7 with another planned for late October. Stay tuned as details are finalized into what will be a new 2027 bill starting with a Legislative Service Request (LSR) to be submitted before December.
Enforcement starts with Law Enforcement Officials (LEOs) knowing what they see being used and how current laws (RSAs) apply to their usage. A huge misconception by the public, news media and many LEOs is that any “bike” with an electric motor is an “e-bike.” Only Class 1,2,3 e-bikes with a maximum powered speed of 20 MPH, operable pedals, and a motor not exceeding 750 watts (one HP) meet the definition of a “true e-bike.” Any bike not within those specs is either an Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) or, if properly equipped, a motorized vehicle falling in the classification of a moped, scooter, motor-driven cycle, or a motorcycle. Whether powered by a gas engine or an electric motor, any bike exceeding the Class 1,2,3 e-bike specs is not an e-bike. The BWANH PEV training package should help LEOs with their enforcement efforts. The first session is scheduled for the City of Keene on October 27. We expect many more to follow. Please contact me if more information is desired.
Bottom line, a lot of unseen back-room activity is underway with a goal of making NH roads, rail trail, and multi-use paths safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Stay tuned for the next update on these complex subjects by the end of this year.
Dave Topham
NHRTC President
dtopham@nhrtc.org
603-898-9926 Office landline
603-475-9697 Cell # 2