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Resources for the Madison Community
Madison stands with the families of Abundant Life community. This page is dedicated to connecting victims and the broader community to resources and accurate information about the tragic events that happened on December 16.
Electric Bikes
Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are bicycles with an attached electric motor that provides assistance and are permitted in the City of Madison. These bikes can make trips by bike more accessible to a riders of varying ability and open up making hilly trips, longer trips and the carrying of cargo easier. E-bike users must follow the same rules as traditional bicycles. Want to try out an e-bike? Bcycle has all electric assist bikes in their bikeshare fleet.
E-bikes were legalized when the 2019 Wisconsin Act 34 was signed into law. This law:
- Created three categories of electric bicycles based on the type of motor and assistance it provides to the rider;
- Specifies that riders under the age of 16 cannot ride a Class C electric bicycle that allows the motor to assist riders up to 28 miles per hour;
- Requires manufacturers to permanently affix a label that provides the classification of the bicycle’s motor; and
- Ensures that electric bicycles are regulated and treated in the same manner as human-powered bicycles, except that local municipalities or the Department of Natural Resources may prohibit the use of electric bicycles on a bike path under its jurisdiction.
Under Wisconsin law, e-bikes are defined into three classifications.
- Class 1 E-bike: Provides electrical assistance only while the rider is pedaling, assist up to 20 mph.
- Class 2 E-bike: Provides electrical assistance regardless if the rider is pedaling or not, assist up to 20mph
- Class 3 E-bike: Provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling, assist up to 28 mph. Must have a speedometer. May not be operated by anyone under the age of 16.
Electric Bikes and Fire Safety
Fires can start when batteries are stored, charged, or disposed of incorrectly. This includes the batteries many of us regularly charge in our homes and those that power e-bikes and e-scooters. You can protect yourself and your home - and continue to enjoy your e-bikes and e-scooters - with a few simple precautions.