E-bikes and e-scooters are everywhere in Arizona. You see them on the canal paths in Mesa, around Westgate in Glendale, and at the University of Arizona in Tucson. They are cheap to run, easy to park, and a lot more fun than sitting in traffic on the US 60. But when a driver turns into your path, or a pothole throws you off your scooter, you can be hurt as badly as in a motorcycle crash.
The legal questions around e-bike accident cases can be challenging to answer at first. Some are surprised to learn that the first question we ask is about the vehicle itself: What kind of e-vehicle were you riding? The class of your device affects where you were allowed to ride, what rules applied to you, which insurance might pay, and how an insurance adjuster will try to frame fault. Here is what you need to know.
Speak With an Arizona E-bike and E-scooter Accident Lawyer
E-bike and e-scooter crashes often lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and in the worst cases, wrongful death. At Rasmussen Injury Law, we understand how Arizona’s device classes, local ordinances, and insurance rules fit together, and we know how to push back when insurers try to blame the rider.
If you have been involved in an e-bike or e-scooter accident in Arizona, call Rasmussen Injury Law today for a free consultation: (480) 637-5757. Our focus is on vehicular accidents, including bicycles, motorcycles and collisions with cars. Our e-bike accident lawyers are here to help you get back on the road after a crash.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Classes Under Arizona Law
Arizona Laws for E-bikes
Arizona law treats e-bikes and e-scooters much like regular bicycles; they are not considered motor vehicles, so riders do not need a license, registration, or insurance. That distinction only applies if the device actually fits the legal definition of an “electric bicycle”; it must have working pedals and a motor under 750 watts, and it must fall into one of three classes:
- Class 1: The motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph.
- Class 2: The motor can move the bike on its own (a throttle), but it stops helping above 20 mph.
- Class 3: The motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 28 mph.
Arizona Laws for E-scooters
Scooters have their own definitions. An electric standup scooter weighs less than 75 pounds, has a floorboard and handlebars, and tops out at 20 mph. An electric miniature scooter weighs less than 30 pounds and tops out at 10 mph. Manufacturers must put a permanent label on e-bikes showing the class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage. That little sticker can become an important piece of evidence after a crash.
How Device Class Affects Liability
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover damages even if you were partly at fault, though your compensation goes down by your share of the blame. In e-bike and e-scooter cases, insurers commonly argue that the rider:
- Was riding a Class 3 e-bike on a path where it was not allowed
- Was too young to legally ride the device under a local ordinance
- Was going faster than the posted limit or the device’s legal class
- Was riding at night without the required lights
- Was not wearing a helmet (Arizona has no statewide helmet law for adult riders, but an insurer may argue that a missing helmet made a head injury worse)
None of these arguments ends your claim, but each one can lower its value. An experienced attorney can push back with evidence that the driver’s conduct, not your device, caused the crash.
Read More: Can I Sue if I Was Partially at Fault in Arizona?
Rules for E-Bikes and E-Scooters in Glendale, Mesa, and Tucson
State law sets the baseline, but Arizona cities can add their own rules, and several have done so recently.
Glendale. According to the City of Glendale, riders must be at least 12 to ride an e-scooter, 14 for a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike, and 16 for a Class 3 e-bike. Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet, and anyone riding at night needs a white front light, a red rear light, and reflectors. The ordinance also bans reckless riding, riding against traffic, and wheelies.
Mesa. Mesa now allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes and e-scooters in city parks at up to 5 mph. Riders must be at least 16 to use e-bikes or e-scooters on public roads and sidewalks, and riders under 18 must wear a helmet. E-scooters may use sidewalks unless a sign says otherwise, but e-bikes may not ride on sidewalks outside of parks.
Tucson. Tucson and Pima County have their own long-standing rules for motorized bicycles, helmets for minors, and shared paths like The Loop. If your crash happened on a Tucson path or near campus, the local rules in effect that day can matter.
Breaking a rule does not automatically sink your case, but insurers will look for any violation they can use to put the blame on you. If you have been involved in a collision involving an e-bike or e-scooter, we encourage you to call Rasmussen Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation: (480) 637-5757.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an E-bike or E-scooter Crash?
Some of the Valley’s busiest roads are also its most dangerous, as we discuss in our posts on the most dangerous intersections in Mesa and high-risk areas for Glendale traffic accidents. Regardless of where the accident occurred, the following parties may bear responsibility:
Drivers
Most serious e-bike and e-scooter injuries involve cars and trucks. Common examples include drivers turning left across a rider’s path, drivers turning right across a rider at intersections, drivers opening doors into bike lanes, and drivers pulling out of parking lots without looking. Because e-bikes move faster than regular bikes, drivers often misjudge how quickly a rider is coming.
Other Riders
E-bike and scooter riders can also cause harm. If a rider hits a pedestrian on a sidewalk or path, the rider may be personally liable. Because riders are not required to carry insurance, getting paid in these cases often depends on the rider’s homeowners or renters policy, or on the injured person’s own coverage. Our Arizona pedestrian accident attorneys handle these cases as well.
Manufacturers and Sellers
Brakes that fail, throttles that stick, frames that crack, and battery fires can all lead to product liability claims against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller. Keeping the device is critical in these cases.
Rental Companies
Rental e-scooters and e-bikes come with in-app user agreements that often include liability waivers and arbitration clauses. Those terms do not always hold up under legal scrutiny; a poorly maintained rental device often voids the contract outright.
Government Entities
Potholes, broken pavement, missing signs, and poorly designed bike lanes can cause serious falls. Claims against a city, county, or the state come with strict rules, including a notice of claim that generally must be filed within 180 days.
Insurance Coverage After an E-bike or E-scooter Crash
Because Arizona does not require e-bike and e-scooter riders to carry insurance, figuring out who pays can take some digging. Your policy wording, the class of your device, and the facts of the crash all affect which coverage applies.
Coverage may come from:
- The at-fault driver’s liability policy. Arizona drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage. For serious injuries, that minimum often is not enough.
- Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Many people do not realize that UM/UIM coverage on their auto policy may protect them even when they are on a bike or scooter, not in their car. This matters when the driver has no insurance, too little insurance, or leaves the scene. Learn more on our Mesa, Glendale, and Tucson hit-and-run pages.
- Medical payments coverage. MedPay on your auto policy may help with medical bills no matter who was at fault. We cover the details in Medical Payments Coverage: How and When to Use It.
- Homeowners or renters insurance. These policies sometimes cover you if you injure someone while riding, but many exclude “motorized” vehicles. Policy wording varies a lot, so read carefully or have an attorney review it.
- Health insurance. Your health plan may pay for treatment, but it may also ask to be paid back from any settlement.
Read More from Rasmussen Injury Law: Hit by an Uninsured Driver? What Are Your Options?
What to Do After an E-bike or E-scooter Crash in Arizona
Many of the same steps from our guide on what to do after a car accident in Arizona apply here, with a few additions:
- Get medical care right away. Head and spine injuries are common in these crashes and may not show symptoms right away.
- Call the police and ask for a report number.
- Photograph your device, including the manufacturer’s class label, the damage, and the scene.
- Do not repair, sell, or throw away the device. It may be key evidence.
- Save app data if you were on a rental or use a ride-tracking app.
- Get witness names and look for nearby cameras.
- Avoid recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer until you have spoken with an attorney. We recommend saving (480) 637-5757 in your phone as “Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer” so you will always have an attorney close at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need insurance to ride an e-bike or e-scooter in Arizona?
No. Under A.R.S. § 28-819, e-bikes and electric standup scooters that meet the legal definitions do not need insurance, registration, or a license. Devices that go past the legal limits may be treated as motorcycles or other motor vehicles, which do need insurance.
Will my car insurance cover me if I was hit while riding an e-bike?
It may. UM/UIM and medical payments coverage on your auto policy can sometimes apply even when you were not in your car. It depends on your policy wording, so it is worth having an attorney review it.
Can I still recover if I was riding a Class 3 e-bike where it was not allowed?
Possibly. Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule lets you recover damages even if you share some of the fault. Your recovery may go down by your percentage of fault, but a path violation does not automatically end your claim, especially if the driver caused the crash.
What if I was hit by someone riding an e-scooter?
The rider may be personally liable. Since scooter riders do not have to carry insurance, compensation may come from the rider’s homeowners or renters policy, a rental company, or your own coverage.
How long do I have to file an e-bike accident claim in Arizona?
Generally, you have two (2) years from the date of the crash. If a city, county, or state agency may be responsible, you may have as little as 180 days to file a notice of claim. In either case, we encourage you to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to understand your rights.
Injured in an E-bike Crash? File Quickly to Protect Your Rights
Most Arizona personal injury claims must be filed within two (2) years of the crash. Claims against public entities have much shorter deadlines, including the 180-day notice of claim and a one-year deadline to file suit. Waiting can cost you your case.
Our Arizona bicycle accident lawyers serve injured riders across the state, with offices in Mesa, Glendale, and Tucson. Contact us or call (480) 637-5757 for a free case evaluation.