Bikes vs. Electric Vehicles

What to know before you ride

Not everything labeled an “e-bike” is actually an e-bike in Colorado.

  • A legal e-bike has a motor 750 watts or less
  • Anything over that is not an e-bike—even if it looks like one

The difference. Some high-powered vehicles, often called e-motos, are designed to look like bikes but have:

  • 1,000–6,000+ watt motors
  • Speeds of 30–65+ mph
  • Pedals that may not work

If it’s over 750 watts, it may be a motor vehicle. You may need:

  • A driver’s license
  • Registration
  • Insurance

Using the wrong vehicle can lead to:

  • Safety risks
  • Tickets or fines

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has more details to help you choose the right ride.

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