E-bikes and speed pedelecs in France (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: A pedelec (250 W, assistance up to 25 km/h) is treated as an ordinary bicycle and needs no registration or insurance. A 45 km/h speed bike is a cyclomoteur: it must be registered and insured, and the rider needs a helmet and the AM category or BSR.

RuleWhat 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)⚠ Not yet verified
HelmetRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)Required for children under 12 only. Not required for anyone else. [2]
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)No registration plate and no compulsory liability insurance. [1]
Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)Bicycle rules apply: cycle lanes and paths are compulsory only where the local police authority has ordered it. [3]
Legal classRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Moped or motor vehicle rules [1]
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) [1]
Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)14 years, with the AM licence category or BSR. People born before 1988 need no document. [4]
HelmetRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)An approved helmet, fastened, for driver and passenger. [5]
LicenceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)AM licence category or BSR (not needed for people born before 1988). [4]
Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Must be registered (registration plate). Compulsory liability insurance. [1]
Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Only where the local police authority allows two-wheel mopeds on cycle lanes and paths. [3]

Notes

  • The pages read do not state a minimum age for riding a pedelec.
  • The pedelec is treated as an ordinary bicycle, for which the helmet duty applies under 12.
  • The pages read do not state a licence rule for a pedelec.
  • Applies to cyclomoteurs. The page read does not name speed bikes separately.

Sources

  1. Direction de l'information légale et administrative (service-public.gouv.fr): Faut-il immatriculer un vélo électrique ? (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Direction de l'information légale et administrative (service-public.gouv.fr): Équipements obligatoires à vélo (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Légifrance (Code de la route): Article R431-9 - Code de la route (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Direction de l'information légale et administrative (service-public.gouv.fr): À quel âge peut-on conduire une moto ou un scooter ? (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  5. Légifrance (Code de la route): Article R431-1 - Code de la route (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.