Chandler is the latest Valley city to write new rules for electric bicycles. The City Council voted on May 21 to advance a new law that will decide where e-bikes can go, who can ride them, and what kinds are allowed.

The three types of e-bikes

Electric bicycles fall into three categories under Arizona law, and each city draws the line differently.

Class 1 bikes only provide power while you pedal and stop assisting at 20 mph. They behave like a regular bike with a boost — no throttle, no coasting under power. Most cities treat them the same as traditional bicycles.

Class 2 bikes have a throttle, so you can move without pedaling at all. They also cap at 20 mph. Some cities restrict them from certain paths or require riders to be older.

Class 3 bikes are the fastest: they assist up to 28 mph. They raise the most safety concerns, especially on shared-use paths where pedestrians, regular cyclists, and faster e-bikes all mix. Scottsdale's July 2025 ordinance specifically targets Class 3 bikes, requiring warning labels at point of sale and restricting where they can operate.

A growing patchwork, city by city

Electric bicycles have become common across the Phoenix metro area. People use them for commuting, running errands, and getting to light rail stations. But each city has written its own rules, creating a confusing mix of laws that change as you cross city lines.

Mesa was the first Valley city to act. After study sessions in October and December 2025 that discussed e-bike policy in parks, the council passed an ordinance in December 2025 allowing certain e-bikes on park paths and shared-use trails while restricting faster models.

Scottsdale took a different approach. The City Council voted in July 2025 to update its traffic code specifically for Class 3 e-bikes — the fastest ones — adding rules about where they can be ridden and requiring warning labels sold with the bikes.

Glendale wrapped e-bikes and electric scooters into one ordinance. The council first discussed the issue in August and September 2025, then passed a final ordinance in December 2025 that covers both types of devices.

Chandler is adding its own rules with Ordinance No. 5164, amending Chapter 13 of the Chandler City Code. The council voted to tentatively adopt the ordinance on May 21, with a final vote expected at a later meeting. The staff report spells out the specifics:

  • Helmets required for riders under 18
  • 16-year minimum age to ride Class 3 e-bikes (the fastest class, assisting up to 28 mph)
  • Class 3 e-bikes prohibited on sidewalks, shared-use paths, and in city parks
  • 15 mph speed limit for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on sidewalks, shared-use paths, and in parks, dropping to 5 mph when passing pedestrians
  • Front light and rear red reflector required when riding at night

The regulations were developed over several months, with discussions at a council subcommittee in October 2025 and a council work session in April 2026. Chandler says it has received hundreds of complaints about e-bikes, many from pedestrians who reported nearly being hit. The city plans an education and outreach campaign — social media, school outreach, and bike shop partnerships — before beginning full enforcement.

What the patchwork means

For cyclists and e-bike riders who live in one city and ride in another, the rules keep changing. A Class 3 bike that is permitted on Scottsdale's streets may not be welcome on a Chandler park path. A rider who cruises through three Valley cities on their commute could encounter three different sets of rules.

As e-bike sales continue to grow, more Valley cities will likely follow. Whether the region's approach stays a patchwork or eventually converges on consistent rules is an open question.