Sen. Lee introduces bill to update North Carolina e-bike laws

According to the North Carolina State Senate, State Sen. Michael V. Lee has introduced new legislation intended to update and clarify electric bicycle regulations and usage standards throughout the state.

The measure, filed as SB 970 on April 30 in the 2025 regular session, carries the short title: ‘E-Bike Definition and Local Regulation.’

This summary, based on the official bill text, aims to explain its terms.

Broadly, the proposal would revise the definition of electric assisted bicycles to align with 3 widely used classes based on how the motor assists and an upper assisted speed of either 20 or 28 mph. It generally permits e-bikes on roadways, bike lanes and multiuse paths, while granting local governments authority to limit certain classes on shared paths, sidewalks, or trails, set path speed limits, require helmets for those under 18 on Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, and issue penalties. Riders and passengers under 18 would be required to wear helmets on Class 3 bikes in all instances. The act tasks the Department of Transportation with developing safety education, setting aside a one-time $100,000 allocation from the Highway Fund, and would take effect upon becoming law.

Lee is one of two sponsors and led the chamber with 54 bills introduced during the 2025 regular session.

North Carolina legislation follows a step-by-step process before enactment. The process begins when a legislator files a bill; committee review comes next, followed by three readings in both legislative chambers. If amendments occur after one chamber passes the measure, both sides must agree to the final language. When both chambers approve the same version, the bill heads to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 when lawmakers are not meeting) to sign, veto or permit it to become law without signature.

Further information on legislation and bill status is available here.

Lee earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991 and a JD from Wake Forest University Law School in 1997.

The Republican senator was elected in 2023 to represent North Carolina’s 7th Senate district, succeeding former senator Jim Perry.