E-bikes and speed pedelecs in Italy (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: A pedal-assisted bicycle (0.25 kW, assistance up to 25 km/h) is a velocipede with no helmet or licence duty and must use cycle paths where they exist. A 45 km/h vehicle is a ciclomotore: it needs a licence, helmet, certificate of circulation and plate.

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)No helmet duty. [2]
LicenceRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)No driving licence needed. [3]
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)Must use reserved cycle paths or cycle lanes where they exist. [4]
Legal classRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Moped or motor vehicle rules [5]
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) [5]
Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)14 years for vehicles covered by licence category AM, carrying no passenger. 16 years to carry a passenger. [6]
HelmetRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)A helmet, fastened, for driver and passenger. [2]
LicenceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)A driving licence (patente) is needed; AM is the category for these vehicles. [3]
Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Certificate of circulation and registration plate (targa). [7]
Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The articles read do not state a minimum age for riding a pedal-assisted bicycle.
  • Article 171 names only ciclomotori and motoveicoli; velocipedi are not listed.
  • Article 116 lists the vehicles that require a licence; velocipedi are not among them.
  • The articles read do not settle the insurance rule for this class.
  • Article 52 defines ciclomotori by a speed of up to 45 km/h; article 50 limits velocipedi to assistance up to 25 km/h.
  • Article 182 covers velocipedi only and does not say whether ciclomotori may use cycle paths. Not verified.

Sources

  1. Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), testo del Codice della strada: Art. 50 - ACI Gov (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), testo del Codice della strada: Art. 171 - ACI Gov (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), testo del Codice della strada: Art. 116 - ACI Gov (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), testo del Codice della strada: Art. 182 - ACI Gov (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  5. Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), testo del Codice della strada: Art. 52 - ACI Gov (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  6. Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), testo del Codice della strada: Art. 115 - ACI Gov (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  7. Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), testo del Codice della strada: Art. 97 - ACI Gov (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.