Idaho Drivers Must Now Avoid Hitting Electric Bikes

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Idaho has passed a new law that requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with people on electric-assisted bicycles. The previous law only mentioned 'human-powered vehicles', which a court ruled did not include electric bikes. The new law, signed by Governor Little, takes effect on July 1, 2026 and adds 'electric-assisted bicycle' to the language.

Why it matters

This new law aims to improve safety for electric bike riders in Idaho by legally obligating drivers to be more cautious around them. Electric bikes have become increasingly popular, but their legal status has been unclear in some areas, leading to potential conflicts with drivers.

The details

The old Idaho law stated that 'every driver of a motor vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or any person propelling a human-powered vehicle'. However, a recent court ruling determined that this did not apply to electric-assisted bicycles. The new law, signed by Governor Little, adds the specific language of 'electric-assisted bicycle' to clarify that drivers must exercise the same duty of care around them as they do for human-powered bikes and pedestrians.

• The new law was signed by Governor Little on March 16, 2026.
• The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

What’s next

The new law will go into effect on July 1, 2026, requiring all drivers in Idaho to be more cautious around electric bike riders.