According to a KFYR report published September 9, 2026, Bismarck city commissioners approved new rules for electric scooters and e-bikes on Tuesday night. The final ordinance sets the minimum age for electric scooters and Class 1 and 2 e-bikes at 12 years old. Class 3 e-bikes are limited to riders 16 and older.
The age 12 threshold is lower than what was first on the table. KFYR reports the proposed limit was 14, and that a 12-year-old Bismarck resident pointed out that neighboring Mandan already allows 12-year-olds to operate electric scooters and argued Bismarck should as well. The adopted ordinance aligns Bismarck more closely with Mandan’s rules.
Age is not the only change. KFYR reports that commissioners also established speed limits, created tiered fines, and gave police the option to impound devices for violations.
The age rules at a glance
Based on KFYR’s reporting, this is how the adopted minimum ages break down by device type.
| Device | Minimum age under the adopted ordinance |
|---|---|
| Electric scooters | 12 |
| Class 1 e-bikes (pedal assist, no throttle) | 12 |
| Class 2 e-bikes (throttle equipped) | 12 |
| Class 3 e-bikes (faster pedal assist) | 16 |
The class descriptions in the table are general definitions of the three-class system, not language from the Bismarck ordinance. KFYR’s report does not say how the city defines each class. If you are unsure which class your bike falls into, our e-bike class explainer covers the differences.
Why the age split matters
The ordinance draws a clear age distinction among device types. It assigns a minimum age of 12 to e-scooters and Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, while assigning a minimum age of 16 to Class 3 e-bikes. KFYR does not report when those provisions take effect.
For parents, that makes the bike’s class an important shopping question. Before buying an e-bike for a rider under 16, confirm whether it is Class 1, 2, or 3 because the ordinance sets different age thresholds. If a bike’s documentation does not state its class, ask the seller or manufacturer for it in writing and keep it.
For younger riders, the adopted rule is less restrictive than the proposal KFYR described. The proposal would have set the minimum age at 14, while the final ordinance sets it at 12 for e-scooters and Class 1 and 2 e-bikes.
The enforcement provisions make it important to confirm the details. KFYR reports that fines are tiered and that police have the option to impound devices for violations, although the report does not give the fine schedule or explain when impoundment may be used.
What riders in Bismarck should do now
- Confirm your device’s class. The age rule hinges on whether an e-bike is Class 1, 2, or 3. If your bike’s paperwork does not say, contact the manufacturer or the shop that sold it.
- Get the speed limits and fine schedule from the city. KFYR reports both exist but does not publish the numbers.
- Do not guess at the effective date. The KFYR report does not give one. Look for notice from the city or police rather than assuming the rules are or are not already in force.
- Parents, walk young riders through the age thresholds. The ordinance assigns age 12 to Class 2 e-bikes and age 16 to Class 3 e-bikes. Confirm the effective date and other operating rules with the city.
- Riders in Mandan should not assume the rules are identical. KFYR describes Bismarck’s ordinance as aligning more closely with Mandan’s, not as matching it.
The bigger picture
Bismarck’s ordinance is a local rule, not a statewide North Dakota rule, and it follows a pattern of cities setting their own e-bike and e-scooter limits. For a wider look at how state-level rules vary, see our state-by-state e-bike law guide.
KFYR’s report also notes that a 12-year-old Bismarck resident argued for parity with Mandan during the discussion. The source does not say how commissioners weighed that comment when choosing the final age threshold.
If you are shopping for a bike that fits a younger rider’s age bracket, a local shop can help confirm the class before you buy. Our dealer directory is a starting point.
Sources
- KFYR, “Bismarck adopts new electric scooter, e-bike rules,” reported by Thea Jorgensen, published September 9, 2026: kfyrtv.com
- Hero image: KFYR article image captioned “E-bike,” credited to KFYR, cropped and optimized by RoostMode for editorial news coverage. Original: cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com
