Patrol commander explains Indiana ebike classes and urges local rules for parks and sidewalks

Dominic Valsi, patrol commander for the Crown Point Police Department, told attendees at the city’s "Mondays with the Mayor" session that Indiana law classifies electric bicycles into three categories and that the machines must have pedals to qualify as ebikes.

Valsi said Class 1 models are pedal‑assist only and limited to about 20 mph, Class 2 models can include a throttle and go a bit faster, and Class 3 models can reach roughly 28 mph and carry age and helmet requirements. He warned that two‑wheeled devices without pedals are not ebikes “—that’s an electric dirt bike” and are subject to moped‑style registration, insurance and helmet requirements.

Why it matters: The patrol commander said manufacturers’ stickers that list battery wattage and top speed are legally important; if a device has been modified, the sticker must be updated under state statute, which affects whether the device is governed as an ebike or as a motor vehicle. He recommended parents check with the police before buying high‑powered models for children and urged safe riding near pedestrians and motorists.

Local steps: Valsi said the parks director, Jenny Burgess, is talking with the city council’s ordinance committee about potential local limits for parks and trails to balance access and safety. He noted enforcement challenges for sidewalk speed limits — officers generally must visually estimate behavior rather than use radar — but said towns that have set sidewalk speed limits, such as Griffith, hope the rules encourage compliance.

Quotes: “If it doesn’t have pedals, then it’s not an ebike,” Valsi said, adding that the state classification determines where devices may be ridden and what equipment and age rules apply.

Next steps: City staff and the ordinance committee will review examples from other towns and possible park restrictions; any change would require a local ordinance and follow the council’s legislative process.