Interestingly, Texas laws dont prohibit this. Hoverboards being motorized 2-wheeled scooters that dont actually hover wasnt the only reason it blew up in 2015. Australia classifies e skateboards as wheeled recreational devices. Just like the UK and Canada, Australia has no specific laws governing the use of e skateboards. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As lightweight electric transport develop, they are becoming more and more common around the world. Try to adhere to the laws. Before HB19-1221 became the law, the toy vehicles could only be operated on sidewalks. Property and damage insurance may also be able to protect the electric skateboard in case of damage. Instead, Japanese law forbids roller skating in crowded areas. Kansas is in the process of drafting new laws for electric scooters and skateboards. This makes insurance a major need, but it still isnt available as of yet. A person may operate a Class electric bicycle only if he or she is 16 years. Lets now discuss the legal status of e skateboards in some major US states and abroad. They are under the umbrella of motorized scooters and operable only with a drivers license. Indiana law has specific details listed for Electric scooters as defined by House Bill 1649. In 2017 the law allowed e skateboard riders in Singapore to operate on footpaths and cycle paths. Mississippi doesnt have laws that specify definitions for e-scooters and e-skateboards. The UK famously introduced restrictive laws governing the use of hoverboards and Segways. Riders must be 17 years or older and should possess a license for riding an electric scooter. This means you cant ride the e skateboard on the sidewalk, roads, bike paths, or bicycle lanes. Speed limits are a common feature for all road-worthy vehicles and electric skateboards are no exception. There is no requirement to use an electric skateboard on a road with a speed limit of less than 35 mph. They also need to follow the rules of the road and have brakes, taillights, and headlights. Both England and Wales recognize the Highway Act. This bans all micromobility devices from use within the city. Segway and E Bikes Faced the Same Legal Situation. Your email address will not be published. In doing so, they should use the road and follow common road traffic rules. Section 2068 Electric personal assistive mobility devices; regulations, 2011 Florida Statutes: Electric scooters and bicycles and other unregistered vehicles, New York State: HB19-1221 Regulation of electric scooters, Colorado: Chapter 311 Skateboards and scooters, City of Springfield, MA. We find the paper of the city of Springfield, MA (Massachusetts), in the Article of Motorized scooters, indicating: Some players have questions like, can I ride an electric skateboard in Portland. Also, consider this: Florida law defines a motor vehicle this way: An automobile or a motorcycle, trailer, semi-trailer, truck, truck tractor or semitrailer combinationused to transport people or property propelled by non-muscular power. Of course, this definition fits the nature of an e skateboard. So, in a way, you can ride your device as long as you do not infringe on others property. Also, you cannot ride on a one-way road with multiple unmarked lanes- neither can you ride them on the road at night. It excludes them from state registration, insurance, and other requirements for vehicles. The exceptions to this include: Delaware law also puts further statutes for its use with careless operation in both private and public places. Don't cross the 15 mph speed limit and be sure to use the brakes when you need it. Before buying one, consider several things. It is illegal to ride an electric skateboard on a sidewalk or road in the business district. Wyoming does not have any laws or definitions that fit electric scooters. While normal traffic rules and common sense are expected to be obeyed, there are other laws as well. Using e-skates on public roads or streets for the first time can lead to fines amounting to $115. There are no specific laws about electric skateboards, so its best to follow common-sense traffic laws. Electric Scooter Batteries: A Comprehensive Technical Guide, Can You Ride an Electric Scooter in the Rain? The board must not exceed 700 mm in width or 20 kg in weight. Want to Make Your Electric Scooter Go Faster? Some of the licenses that can serve in this capacity include a drivers license and state identification. You could also go to the police dept, and if you are very respectful and ask in the very nicest way you may also get some . Electric skateboarding is still a relatively new thing and its only just starting to hit the mainstream now and as we already know, technology moves a lot faster than governments do and so, we are now stuck at a point where eskaters are waiting for the laws to catch up. Undoubtedly, the making of laws governing operations of the electric skateboard is something relatively new. Some states even subject them to local traffic laws and speed limits. Neither Lumbuy nor its authors are liable for incomplete or incorrect information. Police are lenient towards electric skateboards because lawyers can invoke the freedom of movement clause. For the next offenses, the amount can reach $230. E skateboards arent propelled entirely by human power. Allowed to circulate in urban areas, prior municipal deliberation, in pedestrian areas, on footpaths and cycle paths, in cycle lanes and reserved lanes, in zones and on roads with a speed limit of 30 km/. The same law seems to lump together hoverboards and Segways. Can I ride an electric skateboard on the road? Now, electric scooters should be used on roadways, regulated and riders should face the same consequences for traffic violations as anyone else using the road on a bicycle or electric bicycle. Their top speed should cap at 15 mph (24 km/h), and any rider under 18 years old should wear a helmet. This pretty much rules out all public places to ride an electric skateboard.. Electric skateboards were made legal in Michigan in 2018. The closest law comes from Georgias low-speed vehicles code. Moped laws require users to have a drivers license or a motorcycle permit. So, the million-dollar question is, are electric skateboards legal in Illinois?. With that being said, collisions involving electric skateboards are possible. We can reasonably conclude that the Florida authorities havent explicitly banned e skateboards. Well, the Assembly Bill 604 is Californias applicable law. However, there are several places in the US where the law allows you to ride your e skateboard without a hassle. Electric skateboards that go under 20 mph are under the definition of bicycles. A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address. The eskate laws are the same rules that apply to cyclists. On a state level, they fall under motorized non-standard vehicles and are not for use in roadways. In these states, electric skateboards can only be used on private property with the owner's permission . For electric skateboards, there are no clear, defined laws or any legislation in Louisiana. Electric skateboards have specific rules in every city and subject to city ordinance. According to AB-604, the legal document about electrically motorized boards, which was released on October 11, 2015, regulating the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric skateboards included. The top speed should be no more than 30 mph (48 km/h), and the user should have a valid license. Which Tesla Is the Best for Me? Nevada mandates users of electric scooters and skateboards to be at least 16 years old. Electric scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds are under the category of motor-driven cycles. Under local DMV laws, users would need a motorcycle license with a B-restriction. The children under the age of 12 are not permitted to ride an electric scooter or board on public highways or streets. The closest rules classify them as mopeds but miss critical requirements. The license required isnt to determine competence or expertise, rather, it is for identification purposes. Most nations classify e skateboards as Light Electric Vehicles (just like bicycles and scooters). Alaska Statute 28.90.990 considers them as scooters and are not for use in sidewalks, bike paths, and recreational trails. In the state of Alabama, there are separate laws regarding electric scooters and skateboards. You are still expected to ride at reasonable speeds to prevent any hazards. There are no Federal laws that either allow or limit the use of eboards. This is kind of an unwritten law but you still need to obey it. Your email address will not be published. Of course, the laws differ from country to country regarding how skateboards should be used. The Missouri State Highway Patrol states that electric scooter riders need a valid drivers license. 18 Fastest Electric Skateboards You Can Buy Today, Best Mini Electric Skateboards & Penny Boards, Best Electric Skateboards For Kids and Teenagers, Best Electric Skateboard DIY Conversion Kits, The Best Electric Skateboards Australia in 2023, Best Electric Skateboards Amazon Has To Offer, The 10 Best Electric Skateboard Lights in 2023, The 5 Best Snowboard Helmets with Bluetooth and Audio, Are Electric Skateboards Worth It? There is also the added benefit of other electric skateboarders being present. Are there any age restrictions to riding an electric bike in Illinois? Pennsylvania has legislation in development concerning e-scooters and micromobility. Vermont has no clear legislation for both e-scooters and e-skateboards. 41 Sc 12 Provision 4198N, Electric scooters and skateboards in Idaho, electric personal assistive mobility devices, specific rules about electric skateboards, A self-balancing vehicle with two non-tandem wheels, Has a top speed less than 15 mph (24 km/h), A valid drivers license or instruction permit, A fastened helmet for anyone under 18 years old, Travel by carrying a cargo that hampers the riders ability to hold the handlebars, On the highway with chopper-style handlebars above the shoulder line, On roads with posted speeds higher than 25 mph (40 km/h) unless in, The rider should be 16 years old or above, Not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Riding on roads with a speed limit under 35 mph (56 km/h), The board should have an average power of 1000 watts or less, Prohibited to ride in public property more than 15 mph (24 km/h), At night, the rider or the board must have a white front headlight, yellow side reflectors, and red reflectors on the rear, A seat height not less than 26 inches (66 cm), Special events with prearranged schedules under permit from the government, With a motor with a maximum output of 750 W, Uses handlebars and floorboards that the rider stands on, Powered by an electric motor no faster than 20 mph (32 km/h), Are not motor-driven cycles, motor vehicle, or motorcycle, One headlamp and rear lamp during nighttime use, Floorboard designed no more than 60 x 18 inches (76.2 x 45.7 cm), An electric propulsion system no more than 2500 watts, Maximum speed no more than 25 mph (40 km/h), At least two wheels in contact to the ground, Either handlebars and deck design for one person to stand on or handlebars with a seat, Anyone below 14 years old should have immediate supervision of a person at least 18 years old, Usability in highways with speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h), Use in crosswalks for the sake of crossing. Let's translate this and see how it applies to real-life electric skateboarders. They are unusable in sidewalks and can go to most areas allowed for bicycles. Electric skateboards are permitted on roads with speed limits of up to 50 km/h, but their own top speed is prohibited at 25 km/h (15 mph), and they must have lights and reflectors. To be specific, the law states all miniatures and electric scooters are not motor vehicles. Utahs 2019 SB0139 lists electric scooters as motor-assisted scooters. A valid drivers license is also a requirement. This sets a precedence for similar transportation types to be legally accepted in the future. In fact, the Washington State laws consider anyone riding a skateboard as a pedestrian. In 1984 Scotland introduced its own Roads Act; the act prohibits the same things the Highway Act does. Sign up to get access to exclusive discounts and the latest electric skateboard news and reviews. These should be visible from five feet (1.52 m) away, similar to a license plate. Skateparks are closed off and thus, there are few or no pedestrians. Share Share Link. There are no clear lines where electric skateboards go in New Yorks legislature. Electric skateboards go under the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission (AMVC) Rule 5. What About Australia- Is It Legal to Ride an E Skateboard? Can Electric Skateboards Go Uphill? For e-scooters, they have a definition under the same grain as bicycles. Overall, its illegal to ride an e skateboard in Singapore. wide) designed for a single rider with an electric propulsion of fewer than 1,000 watts that cant exceed 20 miles per hour.. Motorized Skateboard Laws in California. Your vehicle should be: If your e-scooter or skateboard qualifies, you should be good to go. Currently, the Illinois Vehicle Code provides some guidance regarding e-bikes. Its best to go around cities with safety and respect for road rules in mind. Thus, a board that can travel faster is not subject to these laws. If ever laws catch up enough, people will see the value of micromobility in their lives. However, since Texas is a large state, laws, and regulations might be different in different cities and areas, which means youd better call the local police to figure out. In OKC, electric scooters cannot operate on sidewalks, and riders need to wear a helmet. In that scenario, riding an electric skateboard street is legal by following the same rules as pedestrians from using sidewalks, following red lights, and passing from the pedestrian crossing. Here are 14 Must-Have Accessories, How to Choose the Safest Lights for Your Electric Bike or Scooter. Yes, have fun while riding your e skateboard but do so responsibly and legally. I have a background in electrical engineering and I was interested into technology since my early age. Nebraska prescribes micromobility vehicles to follow the rules of the road. There are also no clear legislations about electric skateboards in West Virginia. Apart from Austria and Turkey, other European nations dont have explicitly restrictive laws to limit the use of such vehicles; the law often bundles skateboards with Segways and hoverboards and treats them as such. Almost every electric skateboarder has electric skateboard legal problems after receiving the toy and before riding it, are electric skateboards legalOr can I ride an electric skateboard on the sidewalk? Until then, its best to keep common-sense safety laws to heart. Frankly, no federal laws are regulating the use of electric skateboards, but it does not mean skateboards are allowed. You are expected to have lights and reflective surfaces to help you be visible to other riders. The same goes for e-skateboards, so the law encourages helmets and head protection. Future bills intend to treat them as bikes, with the same limits and responsibilities. The European Union has no formal laws on e skateboards; instead, individual EU member nations have their own homegrown policies. The state leaves it to the cities to enact its ordinance regarding the matter. If states can figure out the best rules that fit their constituents, they can take advantage. Know what your local law says. They can be attached to either the rider or the eboard. Operators of Class 3 electric bikes must be at least 16 years of age. 10-1-2 in Alabama. Each province or municipality is, therefore, free to make its own specific laws. Electric scooters and skateboards are catching up in use and value. If so, you may wonder whether electric skateboards are legal in that state. However, you must be careful while riding and stay humble if cops stop you. Many areas of Nashville, for example, dont allow skateboarding on public walkways and roads. You will also have to give precedence to pedestrians when they are present on the sidewalk. The state fosters riders to exercise the utmost care and sound safety judgments on the road. A rider of at least 16 years of age must be riding the board. A person riding on the road shall yield the rule of right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. The e-scooter should also not go beyond 15 mph (24 km/h). Motor vehicles are also not allowed to be operated on footpaths or in bike lanes. Regardless of your residence, its essential to learn the rules governing road use. 06 Apr. Safety reminder: Always wear your helmet while riding a skateboard. In Iowa, there is a current bill that aims to define traffic laws specific to electric scooters. In this blog, we'll bring your informative content about means of urban mobility! Regardless, your skateboard is unlikely to qualify for registration or insurance as a vehicle. Electric skateboards dont have any specific regulations and are subject to local state ordinances. Anyone below 16 years old may not use such vehicles. In the darkness, equip your board with a front white headlight, yellow reflectors on the side, and equip riders with a red reflector on the rear. Here, I've also put together some information about some bigger states that According to the newest law, people are allowed to operate bicycles with the electric assist on some streets and highways in New York State. There are no definite rules for electric skateboards, so its best to refer to your local city ordinance. So, you dont have to worry too much about breaching the law, simply obey the signs! They will follow all rules of the road applicable to motorcycles. Thus, while there is no official insurance for electric skateboards, there are things you can do. Electric scooter users in New Hampshire should follow the rules of the road. They are subject to local traffic laws, and their treatment will be that of a road vehicle. These include: Electric micromobility vehicles are unusable on interstate highways unless pedestrian facilities are available. Be careful, though; the absence of such laws doesnt mean youre free to use them-indeed, its often the opposite: Skateboards are technically illegal. The speed must be under 35 mph when riding on the road. Wet Weather FAQ, Electric Scooter Motors Guide: Everything You Need to Know, How to Fix an Electric Scooter: A Troubleshooting Guide, The Electric Scooter Suspension: What Is It and How to Maintain It, How to Select the Best Off-Road Electric Scooter in Town. The state of Illinois states that the motor of an electric bike can't exceed 750w. This means you can ride your electric skateboard on roads and sidewalks as long as it's not in the business district . Kids under 12 cannot ride an electric scooter or electric skateboard on a public highway or street. Just like the UK, Canada has no explicit nationwide laws governing e skateboard use. They will go on roadways instead of sidewalks and will adjust legislation as it goes by. I am counting on you, please spread the voice! The Connecticut DMV, however, prohibits the use of vehicles with seats below 26 inches (66 cm). Overall, since e skateboards are not designed with a place to attach reflective lights (like bicycles), it means you cant ride at night. Now, youve either already got yourself an electric skateboard and youre concerned about getting into trouble with the law after hearing some horror stories of police confiscating them, or, you really want to buy an electric skateboard but havent yet because you want to know if the electric skateboard laws. The law explicitly prohibits horses, sheep, mules, swine, and asses from causeways and footpaths. E-scooters and electric skateboards are the hottest techs in micromobility. Good news for Californians. According to riders, electric skateboards are not under strict ruling in some cities. For now Paddy persistently exercises for six years. New Mexico does not have all-encompassing rules and regulations about micromobility vehicles. They are only allowed to ride on private land. I'm Mike Reyes, a guy behind eDrivePlanet.com.