This amendment creates new safety rules for electric bicycles in Hawaii, bans high-speed electric devices on public roads and bike lanes, requires sellers to label bikes with speed details, and mandates that all electric bicycles be registered.
Hawaii2026Enacted
HB2021
New Rules for Electric Bicycles and Other Small Vehicles
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law sets safety rules, labeling requirements, and a $30 registration fee for electric bicycles while banning high-speed devices from public roads.
What it does
- Sets safe riding rules that ban stunts like wheelies or standing on seats while using an electric bicycle.
- Requires sellers to put labels on electric bikes showing their class, top speed, and motor power.
- Bans high-speed electric devices from public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and other public areas.
- Prohibits mopeds and electric motorcycles from riding in paths or lanes made only for bicycles.
- Requires a $30 registration fee for all electric bicycles before they can be used on public roads.
- Allows law enforcement to seize electric bikes that do not follow the new rules.
Who it affects
- People who ride or own electric bicycles, mopeds, and high-speed electric devices.
- Manufacturers and sellers of electric bicycles in Hawaii.
- Parents or guardians of children under sixteen operating certain types of electric bikes.
- The Department of Transportation for enforcing rules and collecting fees.
Limits and unknowns
- The specific date when these new rules officially start is not listed in the provided text.
- Details on how online sellers must prove their bikes are legal for Hawaii roads are not fully explained beyond a written disclosure requirement.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Electric bicycle
- A bike with working pedals and an electric motor that uses no more than 750 watts of power.
- High-speed electric device
- Any electric vehicle not allowed on public roads, sidewalks, or bike paths under this law.
- Electric micro-mobility device
- Small devices like scooters that must follow the same rules as electric foot scooters.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. Electric Bicycles; Electric Micro-mobility Devices; Regulation; Electric Mobility Devices; High-speed Electric Device; Electric Motorcycles Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle". Authorizes the seizure of non-road-legal or nonconforming electric bicycles and high-speed electric devices. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle without direct supervision. Authorizes a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Substitutes the term "motor scooter" with the term "motor-driven cycle". (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 259, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1362).H
- Act 259, 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1362).S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 882).S
- Transmitted to Governor.H
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 803).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none).S
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Garcia, Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).H
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-26S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 10-26).S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Thursday, 04-30-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 10-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Wakai, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.S
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Kila, Tarnas, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 9:30AM; CR 329.S
- Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 719).H
- Senate Conferees Appointed: Inouye Chair; Wakai, Rhoads Co-Chairs.S
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).S
- House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Muraoka.H
- Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).S
- House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).H
Changes
Amendments
5 stored
This amendment creates new safety rules for electric bicycles in Hawaii, bans high-speed electric devices on public roads and bike lanes, requires sellers to label bikes with speed details, and mandates that all electric bicycles be registered.
This amendment creates new safety rules for electric bicycles in Hawaii, requires sellers to provide labels and warning signs about the law, bans high-speed devices from public areas, prohibits mopeds on bike lanes, defines what an electric bicycle is, and adds a $30 registration fee.
This amendment creates new rules for riding electric bicycles safely in Hawaii, bans high-speed electric devices on public roads and school campuses, requires sellers to label bikes with safety information, and updates legal definitions.
This amendment creates new rules for electric bicycles in Hawaii by banning unsafe riding tricks, requiring safety labels and warning signs on sales, prohibiting high-speed devices from public roads and schools, and clarifying legal definitions.