Tennessee Just Raised the Class 3 E-Bike Age to 16 -- Here's Why Franklin Pushed for It
Greater Nashville, where a wave of e-bike injuries in Williamson County pushed the age change that took effect July 1.
If your teenager rides a Class 3 e-bike in Tennessee, the rules changed on July 1. A new state law raised the minimum age to operate one on a street or highway from 14 to 16, and it did not come from nowhere -- it followed a string of crashes in the Nashville suburbs, including a 7-year-old girl airlifted to the hospital after being hit by an e-bike rider in Nolensville.
The law in plain terms
Senate Bill 1782, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), was signed by Gov. Bill Lee in March 2026 and took effect July 1, 2026. It does two things: it raises the minimum age to operate a Class 3 e-bike -- the pedal-assist-to-28-mph category -- on a street or highway from 14 to 16, and it gives Tennessee cities and counties clear legal authority to regulate or restrict e-bikes on public paths, greenways, and state parks for safety.
Effective date: July 1, 2026.
What changed statewide: riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike on a street or highway unless accompanied by an adult. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are not affected by the age change.
What else it does: expands local authority for cities and counties to restrict e-bikes on paths, greenways, and state parks.
Read NewsChannel 5's coverage of the law taking effect → Read WSMV's report on the age change →Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes keep the same rules as before -- this is a Class 3-specific change. If you are not sure which class your teenager's bike falls into, check the manufacturer's spec sheet or ask the shop where you bought it; the class is usually printed on a sticker near the motor housing.
SponsoredWhy Franklin pushed for this
Johnson has said the City of Franklin requested the bill after officials saw a growing number of children injured in e-bike accidents, including very young riders operating throttle-equipped e-bikes on public streets without understanding basic traffic rules. NewsChannel 5's Williamson County coverage tied the push to a string of local incidents, among them a 7-year-old girl flown to the hospital after an e-bike rider struck her in Nolensville. Weeks after the law took effect, Franklin police cited a 13-year-old following an e-bike crash -- the kind of enforcement moment the new age floor and expanded local authority were built for.
What this means if you ride in Williamson County
Several Williamson County communities, including Franklin and Nolensville, have started using their new authority to restrict where e-bikes can ride on local paths and greenways, on top of the statewide Class 3 age change. If your household rides in the Franklin or Nolensville area, check with your city's parks department before assuming a trail that allowed e-bikes last year still does. Everywhere else in Tennessee, the takeaway is simpler: Class 1 and Class 2 riders see no change, and Class 3 riders under 16 now need an adult along for the ride on streets and highways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new minimum age to ride a Class 3 e-bike in Tennessee?
16. Senate Bill 1782 raised the minimum age to operate a Class 3 e-bike on a street or highway from 14 to 16, effective July 1, 2026. Riders under 16 can still ride one if accompanied by an adult.
Does the new law affect Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes in Tennessee?
Not the age requirement. SB 1782's statewide age change applies only to Class 3 e-bikes, the pedal-assist-to-28-mph category. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes keep the same rules as before.
Why did Tennessee raise the Class 3 e-bike age?
State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, sponsored the bill after the City of Franklin asked for it, citing a growing number of children injured in e-bike accidents, including young riders operating high-power e-bikes on public streets without understanding traffic rules.
Can Tennessee cities restrict e-bikes on greenways and paths?
Yes. SB 1782 also expands local government authority to regulate and restrict e-bikes on public paths, greenways, and state parks for safety. Several Williamson County communities have already started using that authority.
Riding in Tennessee?
Full state law breakdown, verified shops, and local trails -- updated for the SB 1782 age change.
Tennessee E-Bike Laws Guide → Nashville Shops Guide → Williamson County Things to Do →Also see: eBike Laws in All 50 States · Browse eBike Shops in Tennessee
