E-Bikes for Young People Under 16: What Is Legally Allowed?

In Germany, electric bicycles are a popular means of transport, but they are subject to specific rules depending on the technical category and the rider’s age. Here is everything you need to know about teenagers under the age of 16:

1. Category 1: Pedelec (motor ≤ 250 W, assistance up to 25 km/h)

Legally, a Pedelec is treated like a conventional bicycle. No driving licence, no vehicle registration and no motor vehicle liability insurance are required, and there is no legal minimum age (de.wikipedia.org).

However, from a safety point of view, it is advisable not to use a Pedelec before around 14, as younger children may lack the necessary control, coordination and risk awareness.

Recommended equipment:
A helmet is strongly recommended for children and teenagers under 18, even though it is not legally mandatory.

2. Category 2: S-Pedelec (assistance up to 45 km/h)

S-Pedelecs fall under the regulations for light mopeds / small motorcycles (Leichtmofa/Kleinkraftrad):

• Minimum age: 16 years

• Licence required: at least class AM (or an equivalent moped licence)

• Registration: mandatory licence plate and third-party liability insurance, plus compulsory helmet use (falter-bikes.de, hild-radwelt.de)

• Use: allowed on the road, not on normal cycle paths

3. Throttle-controlled e-bikes (without pedalling)

These vehicles are classified according to their top speed:

• Up to 20 km/h: classed as Mofa (moped).

  • Minimum age: 15 years

  • Requires a Mofa test certificate (Prüfbescheinigung), registration, liability insurance and a helmet (iscooterglobal.de).

• Up to 45 km/h: classed as Kleinkraftrad / S-Pedelec and subject to the same requirements as above,
  but the rider must be at least 16 years old (iscooterglobal.de).

Summary for teenagers under 16

• They may use Pedelecs (≤ 25 km/h, 250 W) on public roads without a licence or registration. A helmet is strongly recommended, especially for anyone under 18.

• They are not allowed to use S-Pedelecs or e-bikes with a throttle – these are legally prohibited for anyone under 16.

• Although the law does not impose a formal minimum age for Pedelecs, caution and gradual progression are important. In many cases, it is safer to start with a classic bicycle and only switch to a Pedelec between around 14 and 16 years of age.

The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and multiple sources. However, errors or incomplete or uncertain details may occur. Please regard the information in this article as an initial point of reference and always contact the relevant authorities for binding and up-to-date legal guidance.