Iowa § 321.235B - 321.235B Low-speed electric bicycles — labels — operation.

§ 321.235B. 321.235B Low-speed electric bicycles — labels — operation.

1. A manufacturer or distributor of low-speed electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed in a prominent location to each of the manufacturer’s or distributor’s low-speed electric bicycles. The label shall contain all of the following information printed in arial font with a font size not less than nine point type: a. A classification number for the low-speed electric bicycle that corresponds with a class defined in section 321.1, subsection 36A. b. The low-speed electric bicycle’s top assisted speed. c. The low-speed electric bicycle’s motor wattage. 2. A person shall not knowingly modify the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle such that the low-speed electric bicycle does not qualify for a class defined in section 321.1, subsection 36A. If a person has modified the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle, the person shall affix a new label containing the information listed in subsection 1 to the modified low-speed electric bicycle. 3. A low-speed electric bicycle shall be manufactured and equipped in compliance with 16 C.F.R. pt. 1512. 4. A low-speed electric bicycle shall be manufactured to operate in such a manner that when the rider stops pedaling, applies the brakes, or the electric motor is disengaged, the electric motor assist ceases to function. 5. A class 3 low-speed electric bicycle shall not be operated unless it is equipped with a speedometer that displays its speed in miles per hour. 6. A person under the age of sixteen shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle. A person under the age of sixteen may ride as a passenger on a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle in compliance with section 321.234, subsection 4. 7. A person operating a low-speed electric bicycle on a highway is subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to a rider of a bicycle on a highway and has all the rights and duties under this chapter applicable to a rider of a bicycle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application, or except as otherwise provided in this section. 8. Except for provisions of the Code made specifically applicable to low-speed electric bicycles in this section, low-speed electric bicycles are not subject to provisions of the Code applicable to vehicles, including provisions relating to all of the following: a. Licensure, registration, titling, inspection, and proof of financial liability coverage. b. Possession of a driver’s license or permit. 9. a. A low-speed electric bicycle may be operated in any place where a bicycle is allowed to operate, including but not limited to streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, bikeways, and bicycle or multi-use paths. b. A person shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle on a bicycle lane or multi-use path in excess of the posted or applicable speed limit, or if there is no posted or applicable speed limit, twenty miles per hour. 2021 Acts, ch 125, §5, 8, 9 Referred to in §805.8A(9A)(b) Thu Dec 11 19:40:14 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Section 321.235B (10, 1)