E-bikes and speed pedelecs in Denmark (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: A pedelec with a motor of up to 250 W that assists up to 25 km/h is treated as a bicycle and has no minimum age. A speed pedelec runs under a trial scheme with no end date: it may use cycle paths, riders must be 15 or over, wear a cycle helmet and carry liability insurance.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal classRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | Bicycle rules [1] |
| Assistance stops atRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | up to 25 km/h (design speed) [1] |
| Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | No minimum age. [1] |
| HelmetRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| LicenceRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | Bicycle rules apply: where a cycle path exists, cyclists use it, on the right-hand side of the road unless signs say otherwise. [2] |
| Legal classRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Assistance stops atRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | up to 45 km/h (design speed) [3] |
| Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | 15 years under the trial scheme. [3] |
| HelmetRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | A cycle helmet is required under the trial scheme. [3] |
| LicenceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | Riders under 18 need a moped licence (knallertkørekort) or must be covered by the licence scheme for 17-year-old car drivers. The page states no licence rule for riders aged 18 or over. [3] |
| Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | Liability insurance (ansvarsforsikring) is required. The page does not say whether a registration plate is needed. [3] |
| Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | May use the cycle path under the trial scheme. [3] |
Notes
- Færdselsstyrelsen states that e-bikes are subject to the same requirements and the same traffic rules as an ordinary bicycle.
- The motor may be at most 250 W and may assist up to 25 km/h when the rider pedals. A walking aid of up to 6 km/h without pedalling is allowed.
- Not stated in the official pages read. Not inferred.
- Section 14(1) requires drivers to use the lane intended for their vehicle type; section 14(2) limits cyclists to the cycle path on the right-hand side unless signs say otherwise.
- A speed pedelec must be EU type-approved in class L1e-A or L1e-B and is not an e-bike under the Danish definition. It runs under a permanent trial scheme (since 1 July 2018, no end date) that lets it use cycle paths. This does not fit the three status options, so it is not classified.
- Rule of the trial scheme for speed pedelecs (in force since 1 July 2018, no end date). To qualify, the vehicle must not exceed 20 km/h on motor power alone without pedalling.
Sources
- Færdselsstyrelsen (Danish Road Traffic Authority): Cykler og elcykler (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Retsinformation (Danish Ministry of Justice): Bekendtgørelse af færdselsloven (LBK nr 1312 af 26/11/2024) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Færdselsstyrelsen (Danish Road Traffic Authority): Speed pedelec og elcykler (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.