Know Before You Ride: Maryland E-Bike and E-Scooter Laws

Town Hall has recently received several questions and concerns regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in our community. To help residents better understand the rules and safety requirements, we are sharing this helpful information from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Please take a moment to review it and help keep our streets, sidewalks, and parks safe for everyone.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in the use of electric bikes and scooters throughout our community. While many of these devices are perfectly legal, some high-powered models being marketed as “e-bikes” may actually fall into a different vehicle classification under Maryland law.

Legal E-Bikes

Maryland recognizes three classes of electric bicycles. To qualify as an e-bike, the vehicle must have fully operable pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less.

• Class 1: Pedal-assist only, up to 20 mph

• Class 2: Throttle-powered, up to 20 mph

• Class 3: Pedal-assist only, up to 28 mph (operators must be at least 16 years old)

Legal e-bikes do not require registration, a driver’s license, or insurance.

Helmet Requirement

Maryland law requires all operators and passengers under the age of 16 riding an e-bike to wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages helmet use for riders of all ages. A helmet is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious injury in the event of a crash.

Electric Scooters

Electric scooters with a maximum speed of 20 mph do not require registration or a driver’s license. Riders must still obey all traffic laws, including stopping at stop signs, yielding right-of-way, and traveling in the proper direction of traffic.

Not All “E-Bikes” Are Legal E-Bikes

Many electric vehicles sold online today can reach speeds exceeding 30, 40, or even 50 mph. If a vehicle exceeds Maryland’s e-bike limits or lacks operable pedals, it may be classified as a moped, motor scooter, or motorcycle.

These vehicles may require:

✔️ A valid driver’s license

✔️ Registration and license plates

✔️ Insurance

✔️ Compliance with all applicable motor vehicle laws

Operating an improperly registered or unlicensed high-speed electric vehicle on public roadways may result in traffic citations, towing, and impoundment.

As summer begins and more riders take to our streets, trails, and neighborhoods, we encourage parents to ensure their children are wearing helmets and understand the rules of the road before riding.

Our goal is education and safety. Please ride responsibly, obey traffic laws, and help keep Washington County safe for everyone.

Notice of Passage: Amendment to Chapter 1 – General Provisions, Article III – Misdemeanors and Municipal Infractions; Procedures, Penalties, and Enforcement

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Charter of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, as adopted and subsequently amended, and pursuant to the powers and the provisions contained in the Annotated Code of Maryland that the Mayor and Council for the Town of Keedysville, at a duly constituted meeting which was held on June 4, 2025 introduced an amendment to Chapter 1 General Provisions, Article III, entitled MISDEMEANORS AND MUNICIPAL INFRACTIONS; PROCEDURES, PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT to the Code of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland as prescribed by Maryland Law. Said Ordinance was passed on July 2, 2025 with an Effective Date of July 22, 2025. The entire text of said Ordinance is on file in the Office of the Town Administrator of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland and is available for inspection and review. It is also available on the Town’s website. The entire text is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

Notice of Passage: Chapter 29 – Sidewalks and Curbs

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Charter of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, as adopted and subsequently amended, and pursuant to the powers and the provisions contained in the Annotated Code of Maryland that the Mayor and Council for the Town of Keedysville, at a duly constituted meeting which was held on July 2, 2025 introduced for adoption Chapter 30 SIDEWALKS AND CURBS to the Code of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland as prescribed by Maryland Law. Said Ordinance was introduced and passed as an Emergency Ordinance with an Effective Date of July 2, 2025. The entire text of said Ordinance is on file in the Office of the Town Administrator of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland and is available for inspection and review. It is also available on the Town’s website. The entire text is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

Notice of Passage: Chapter 30 – Nuisance Abatement

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Charter of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, as adopted and subsequently amended, and pursuant to the powers and provisions contained in the Annotated Code of Maryland that the Mayor and Council for the Town of Keedysville, at a duly constituted meeting which was held on June 4, 2025 introduced Chapter 30 NUISANCE ABATEMENT to the Code of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland as prescribed by Maryland Law. Said Ordinance was passed on July 2, 2025 with an Effective Date of July 22, 2025. The entire text of said Ordinance is on file in the Office of the Town Administrator of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland and is available for inspection and review. It is also available on the Town’s website. The entire text is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

New Parking Restrictions Effective October 1, 2024

Maryland House Bill 967 was signed into law during the most recent legislative session. According to the new state law, a person may not park the following vehicles on any street or highway in the Town of Keedysville: tractor, trailer, school bus, passenger bus, and Class E truck with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of over 3/4 ton or gross vehicle weight over 7,000 pounds. The restrictions do not apply if the parking of the vehicle is essential to its immediate use. The new regulations will take effect on October 1, 2024. Read the entire bill below.

Notice of Passage: Short-Term Rentals Zoning Ordinance Amendment

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, a Municipal Corporation, existing under and by virtue of the Laws of the State of Maryland that pursuant to and in accordance with the powers contained in the Charter of the Town of Keedysville as adopted and subsequently amended and in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of the powers vested in the Town under the Annotated Code of Maryland, its Charter and the Town of Keedysville Zoning Ordinance, the said Mayor and Council as the legislative body for the Town, at a duly constituted meeting of the Mayor and Council, on October 4, 2023 passed an Ordinance entitled An Ordinance Amending and Revision the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Keedysville, to Amend Zoning and Use Regulations, Section 305, Table of Use Regulations; Article 2, Definitions; Article 6, Off-Street Parking; and Article 5, Special Provisions, Section 510 all relating to Short Term Rentals within the Town of Keedysville.

For purposes of economy, the entire Ordinance is on file in Keedysville Town Hall and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereto.

The effective date of said Ordinance shall be October 24, 2023.

                                                       MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF KEEDYSVILLE, MARYLAND

Notice of Passage: Temporary Portable Storage Containers Zoning Ordinance Amendment

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, a Municipal Corporation, existing under and by virtue of the Laws of the State of Maryland that pursuant to and in accordance with the powers contained in the Charter of the Town of Keedysville as adopted and subsequently amended and in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of the powers vested in the Town under the Annotated Code of Maryland, its Charter and the Town of Keedysville Zoning Ordinance, the said Mayor and Council as the legislative body for the Town, at a duly constituted meeting of the Mayor and Council, on October 4, 2023 passed an Ordinance entitled An Ordinance Amending and Revising the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Keedysville, To Amend Zoning and Use Regulations, Section 305, Table of Use Regulations and Article 2, Definitions, Temporary Portable Storage Containers.

For purposes of economy, the entire Ordinance is on file in Keedysville Town Hall and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereto.

The effective date of said Ordinance shall be October 24, 2023.

                                                        MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF KEEDYSVILLE, MARYLAND

Notice regarding Enactment of Code of Ordinances Chapter 28 – Purchasing and Competitive Bidding

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, a Municipal Corporation, existing under and by virtue of the Laws of the State of Maryland that pursuant to and in accordance with the powers contained in the Charter of the Town of Keedysville as adopted and subsequently amended and in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of the powers vested in the Town under the Annotated Code of Maryland, the said Mayor and Council as the legislative body for the Town, at a duly constituted meeting of the Mayor and Council, on December 7, 2022, passed Ordinance to enact Chapter 28, Purchasing and Competitive Bidding, of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Keedysville.    

For purposes of economy, the entire Ordinance is on file in the Keedysville Town Hall and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereto.

The effective date of said Ordinance shall be December 27, 2022.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF KEEDYSVILLE, MARYLAND

Notice regarding Amendment to Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 – Regulating Water Rates and Usage

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, a Municipal Corporation, existing under and by virtue of the Laws of the State of Maryland that pursuant to and in accordance with the powers contained in the Charter of the Town of Keedysville as adopted and subsequently amended and in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of the powers vested in the Town under the Annotated Code of Maryland, the said Mayor and Council as the legislative body for the Town, at a duly constituted meeting of the Mayor and Council, on December 1, 2021, passed an Ordinance entitled Chapter 14 – An Amendment to An Ordinance Regulating Water Rates and Usage and Establishing Debt Service Charges for the Mayor and Council for the Town of Keedysville, Maryland, pertaining to certain increases and adjustments in water service and connection rates.

For purposes of economy, the entire Ordinance is on file in Keedysville Town Hall and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereto.

The effective date of said Ordinance shall be January 1, 2022.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL
THE TOWN OF KEEDYSVILLE, MARYLAND

Beginning on Monday, December 6, Washington County will handle building permits and inspections for the Town of Keedysville. Please click here for details.

Please note that zoning approval from the Keedysville Town Hall is required before getting a building permit from Washington County. Contact Town Hall at townhall@keedysvillemd.com, 301-432-5795, or at 19 S Main St in Keedysville for more information.

Once you’ve obtained zoning approval from the Town of Keedysville, visit Washington County’s Permits & Inspections website for permitting information.

They can also be contacted the following ways:

Washington County Administrative Annex
80 West Baltimore Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Phone: (240) 313-2460
Fax: (240) 313-2401
TTY users: MD Relay 711

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