http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle#Legal_status
Australia
In Australia the electric bicycle is defined by the Australian Vehicle Standards as a bicycle that has an auxiliary motor with a maximum power output not exceeding 200 W without consideration for speed limits or pedal sensors.[12] Each state is responsible for deciding how to treat such a vehicle and currently all states agree that such a vehicle does not require licensing or registration. Various groups are lobbying for an increase in this low limit to encourage more widespread use of electric bicycles to assist in mobility, health benefits and to reduce congestion, pollution and road danger. Some states have their own rules such as no riding under electric power on bike paths and through built up areas so riders should view the state laws regarding their use. There is no licence and no registration required for electric bicycle usage.
As of 30 May 2012, Australia has an additional new electric bicycle category using the European model of a "Pedelec" as per EN15194 Standard. This means the bicycle can have a motor of 250w continuous rated power which must be activated only by pedalling (if above 6kph)and must cut out over 25kph. The State of Victoria is the first to amend their local Road Rules to accommodate this new standard as of 18 September 2012.[13]
Canada
Eight provinces of Canada allow electric power assisted bicycles. A three-year trial in Ontario ended October 2009. In seven of the eight provinces, e-bikes are limited to 500 W output, and cannot travel faster than 32 km/h (20 mph) on motor power alone on level ground. In Alberta the limits are 750 W and 35 km/h (22 mph).[14] Age restrictions vary in Canada. All require an approved helmet. Regulations may or may not require an interlock to prevent use of power when the rider is not pedaling. Some versions (e.g., if capable of operating without pedaling) of e-bikes require drivers' licenses in some provinces and have age restrictions. Vehicle licenses and liability insurance are not required. Generally they are considered vehicles (like motorcycles and pedal cycles), so are subject to the same rules of the road as regular bicycles. In some cases regulatory requirements have been complicated by lobbying in respect of the Segway HT.
Bicycles assisted by a gasoline motor or other fuel are regulated differently than ebikes. These are classified as motor cycles regardless of the power output of the motor and maximum attainable speed.
China
In China electric bikes currently come under the same classification as bicycles and hence don't require a driver's license to operate. Previously it was required that users registered their bike in order to be recovered if stolen, although this has recently been abolished. Due to a recent rise in electric-bicycle-related accidents, caused mostly by inexperienced riders who ride on the wrong side of the road, run red lights, don't use headlights at night etc., the Chinese government plans to change the legal status of illegal bicycles so that vehicles with an unladen weight of 20 kg (44 lb) or more and a top speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) or more will require a motorcycle license to operate, while vehicles lighter than 20 kg (44 lb) and slower than 30 km/h can be ridden unlicensed. In the southern Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen, electric bicycles, like all motorcycles, are banned from certain downtown districts. There are also bans in place in small areas of Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing. Bans of scooter style electric bikes (SSEB) were however cancelled and in Shenzhen electric bicycles may be seen on the streets nowadays (2010–11).
European Union
European Union directive 2002/24/EC exempts vehicles with the following definition from type approval: "Cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h (16 mph) or if the cyclist stops pedaling.” This is the de facto definition of an electrically assisted pedal cycle in the EU. As with all EU directives, individual member countries of the EU are left to implement the requirements in national legislation.
European product safety standard EN 15194 was published in 2009. The aim of EN 15194 is "to provide a standard for the assessment of electrically powered cycles of a type which are excluded from type approval by Directive 2002/24/EC".[15]
Israel
In Israel, persons above 14 years old are allowed to use electric assisted bicycle with power of up to 250W and speed limit of 25 km/hour. The bicycle must satisfy the European Standard EN15914 and be approved by the Standards Institution of Israel. No license or insurance is required. Other motorized bicycles are considered to be motorcycles and should be licensed and insure as such.[16]
New Zealand
In New Zealand, an electric bicycle is considered to be a 'Power-assisted cycle'. A power-assisted cycle is a cycle that has a motor of up to 300 watts. The law treats these as ordinary cycles rather than motorcycles. This means that it is not necessary to register or license them.[17]
Norway
In Norway, electric bicycles are classified as ordinary bicycles, according to the Vehicle Regulation (kjøretøyforskriften) § 4-1, 5g. Hence, electric bicycles are not registered in the Vehicle Registry, and there is no demand for a license to drive them. Still, there are constraints on the bicycle construction. The maximum nominal motor power output can be no more than 250 watts and the maximum performance speed of the vehicle when the engine is running is 25 km per hour (15 mph).[18] A function that reduces motor power when vehicle speed exceeds 25 km per hour is mandatory. However, if the motor is not running, the electric bike, or any other bike, answer only to the constraints of the ordinary speed limits.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, electric bicycles are classed as standard bicycles providing the motor's maximum continuous rated power output does not exceed 250 W,[19] and cuts out once the bike reaches 15.5 mph (24.9 km/h). It must also be under 40 kg (88 lb). This means the rider does not require a license to use them, however riders must be at least 14 years of age.
United States
Federal law in the United States states that an electric bicycle must have a top speed when powered solely by the motor under 20 mph (32 km/h) and a motor which produces less than 750 W (1.01 hp). They are not considered motor vehicles by the federal government and are subject to the same consumer safety laws as unassisted bicycles.[20] Their legality on public roads is under state jurisdiction, and varies. See the main Electric bicycle laws article for details on the law in individual states.
In addition to federal electric bicycle laws, the state of Illinois added that the operator be at least 16 years of age. A license and registration is not required.[21]
New York State law bans motor-assisted bicycles from state roads and city streets, though the ban is not currently enforced and a bill is under consideration to allow electric bikes with a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and less than 1,000 watts of power.[1][22]
