However, you cannot register an e skateboard. Can I ride an electric skateboard on the road? Both England and Wales recognize the Highway Act. Are Electric Skateboards Street Legal in Your Local City? 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. This can help prevent any possible issues with other pedestrians. However, you must be careful while riding and stay humble if cops stop you. If your e-scooter travels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h), its definition becomes a motorcycle. So, in a way, you can ride your device as long as you do not infringe on others property. In the state of Arkansas, a new 2019 act allows electric scooter companies to set up shop. Check what your local law says. The rules of the road and traffic signs exist and you are expected to obey them. The exact definition lists them: The exact law neither underscores nor defines rules for electric skateboards and scooters. Its best to still follow common-sense safety and traffic laws in your area. When talking about electric vehicles, theres almost nothing we know that can outvalue a Tesla. While there are bills that are set to streamline electric scooter use in Massachusetts, there are no strong legislations that provide clear laws for or against them. Considering this, make sure youre acquainted with local laws governing the use of skateboards in your country. Every city will have its ordinance for the matter. About Latest Posts Eddie Founder at Skateboardgeek As weve noted, many states have not made laws touching on the use of skateboards. California Motorized Skateboard Law Summary: Motorized skateboards are not allowed on public roads, sidewalks, bike paths, or hiking trails in California. The exceptions to this include: Delaware law also puts further statutes for its use with careless operation in both private and public places. Bonjorno, Italy legalised electric skateboards. There are no clear lines where electric skateboards go in New Yorks legislature. There is no requirement to use an electric skateboard on a road with a speed limit of less than 35 mph. Property and damage insurance may also be able to protect the electric skateboard in case of damage. To help make the decision easier, here are some of the most common places electric skateboarders use. E skateboard riders are only allowed to operate on highways or streets with a 35 mph speed limit. For nighttime use, they should have the necessary front lights and rear reflectors. The limit on a footpath is 15 km/h. Other counties and states may have different laws on the use of skateboards. Close share Copy link. The roads and paths where you arent allowed to ride an electric skateboard are well signed. 12: Germany A draught regulation for the approval of light electric vehicles is also being developed in Germany. Are electric skateboards allowed on planes, etc? You can contact local law enforcement for information or interpretation of unclear laws. The code defines EPAMDs as a self-balancing 2-non tandem-wheeled device. Of course, that doesnt describe a skateboard. Use common safety and traffic rules as a baseline when riding in public. These include: Electric micromobility vehicles are unusable on interstate highways unless pedestrian facilities are available. Ill spare you the history and the nitty-gritty of the law because it is quite long and I spent many hours trying to decipher all the legal speak. (All Tesla Cars Compared). There are specific requirements for motorized scooters, including: For electric skateboards, AB604 defines the limitations when using the micromobility vehicle. You may only ride an e skateboard on private property (your driveway or the gated community). Evidently, the same law applies to skateboards. In Australia, you cannot ride your e skateboard on any road with a median strip or dividing line or one with a speed limit exceeding 50 mph. Whats the regulation for your state? Luckily for electric skateboard riders, there are signs to help guide you. In many places, the law prohibits skateboard riders from crossing the road (except when they cross a street). Electric scooter and skateboard laws in America are looking to understand the use of new transportation. All you need to know about electric skateboard laws December 19, 2022. There are unclear laws when it comes to Connecticuts statutes on electric scooters and skateboards. electric skateboard laws illinois. As for electric skateboards, they qualify under RIGL 31-1-3. Electric Skateboard Laws in Illinois What we find on Reddit says, Ordinance 9-80-200 says you can't use skateboards on roadways or sidewalks in business districts. Moped laws require users to have a drivers license or a motorcycle permit. Then we searched the Ordinance 9-80-200, the chapter elaborating the use of toy vehicles, from theAmerican Legal Publishing Corporationwebsite, which shall be useful for you. 10-1-2 in Alabama. You must be sober when ridding, under the condition of drugs or alcohol is prohibited. 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. For the residents of Illinois or those visiting the state, youll want to know what the law says on the matter. How to Find the Best Lights for Your Electric Skateboard or Longboard, Practical Tips on Choosing the Best Electric Skateboard Conversion Kit, Are Electric Skateboards Street Legal in Your Local City? (All Tesla Cars Compared), Delawares Title 21 Ch. Motor Vehicles, Subtitle . As a result, you can have any form of valid identification to serve this requirement. Electric skateboards dont have any specific regulations and are subject to local state ordinances. They will go on roadways instead of sidewalks and will adjust legislation as it goes by. 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. wide) designed for a single rider with an electric propulsion of fewer than 1,000 watts that cant exceed 20 miles per hour.. In Iowa, there is a current bill that aims to define traffic laws specific to electric scooters. It is illegal to ride an electric skateboard on a sidewalk or road in the business district. For electric skateboards, there is no specific legislation for this device. The closest rules classify them as mopeds but miss critical requirements. 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. You can find me on Twitter or LinkedIn, or contact me directly. Electric scooters cannot go over 15 mph (24 km/h) but are usable anywhere. Well, the Assembly Bill 604 is Californias applicable law. You cannot operate these devices on a sidewalk except as authorized by local law or ordinance. Copyright 2020 Lumbuy.com Company, LLC. When riding at night you must have a front white light, a rear red reflector and yellow reflectors on the side. There is no shortage of roadways across the city offering ample riding ground for electric skateboards. Laws list skateboarders as pedestrians and allow its use anywhere with limited restrictions. Different states have particular rules towards this new toy, or even if there are no exact regulations of electric skateboards, some similar laws might apply to electric skateboards. San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Corpus Christi have their pilot programs and local laws too. I want to keep updating this post to cover each individual state, but as you can imagine, that is a ton of work, so, keep checking back to see if your state has been added. For electric skateboards, they qualify as e-bike per their wattage and power. Anyone below 16 years old may not use such vehicles. Here, I've also put together some information about some bigger states that Note that this code applies only to Segways. Illinois has passed certain rules and regulations about electric scooters which have not been acted upon yet. House Study Bill 38 went under the amendment and passed in Feb 2019. Interestingly, Texas laws dont prohibit this. The statutes list them as motor vehicles and subject to rules and regulations for them. Here are a Few Speedy Tips! Montana does not allow electric scooters and skateboards to ride on the sidewalks. In 1984 Scotland introduced its own Roads Act; the act prohibits the same things the Highway Act does. Are you wondering if electric skateboards can go uphill? 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. The only problem is that not all roadways allow the use of electric skateboards. In 2017 the law allowed e skateboard riders in Singapore to operate on footpaths and cycle paths. Yes, have fun while riding your e skateboard but do so responsibly and legally. Yes, the e skateboard is traveling familiar legal territory. The State of Hawaii defines electric scooters and skateboards as toy devices and allowed on the sidewalks. (MCL 257.658(9)). The license required isnt to determine competence or expertise, rather, it is for identification purposes. What are electric skateboard laws? Even then, the license plate clause doesnt have to enable legislation, keeping the law murky. It is difficult to find an official paper on electric skateboard regulations in Texas. Well, lets dont beat around the bush. Illinois has unclear laws concerning non-traditional vehicles like e-skateboards and e-scooters. In Finland, the law requires e skateboard riders to register the vehicles; it also requires them to insure the boards as light motorcycles (classified according to their speed). Is Pneumatic or Solid Tire Best for Your E-Scooter? Existing law defines e-bikes, consistent with the federal Consumer Product Safety Act, as a bike with operable pedals, a motor of less than 1 horsepower and a maximum speed of less than 20 mph. Electric skateboards are not under regulation in Washington State. Before buying one, consider several things. Arkansas Act 1015 also underscores that electric scooters are only for ages 16 and up. If used on a highway, they have the same rights and responsibilities as a vehicle driver. Speed limits are a common feature for all road-worthy vehicles and electric skateboards are no exception. People are only allowed to ride on the sidewalk where there is a high-density area. Does the law lump them together with e bikes as legal vehicles? So below I have outlined a few states in which electric skateboarding is legal. What else matters? However, they can be pushed if they're in neutral mode or if their drive train is disengaged. What are the restrictions on Motor power or throttle in Illinois? There are no clear laws about e-skateboards, with officials defining them as novelty. Even then, future legislation is in the works to help distinguish them and provide rules. And what makes things funny is that wiki indicates, They (personal transporters) are growing in popularity, and legislators are in the process of determining how these devices should be classified, regulated and accommodated during a period of rapid innovation. So, in the United States, the answer to the questions in the first paragraph is obvious, which is it depends. They are the most recommended place for electric skateboarders. While the traffic signals werent created for electric skateboards, they have been adapted to accommodate it. Sidewalks are a no-go in business districts, and riders should always yield to pedestrians. Once passed, the bill will set electric scooters with the same laws as bicycles. Well, the question is more complex than youd think. The new Indiana electric scooter law will specify that an electric scooter is not to be considered a "motor vehicle" as that term is defined in IC 9-21 and IC 9-32. And at the Federal level, the situation isnt much different. Actually, Texas uses the same law. [5/11-1506] As electric skateboards may not have lights by default, you may have to buy them specially. City rules vary wildly, from cities with outright bans to cities that allow micromobility devices. For instance, its technically illegal to use a skateboard on property classified as public. Where "Electrically Motorized Skateboards" are Allowed Even if your electric skateboard is allowed by the law, you can't ride it just about anywhere in public. However, you must follow the basic safety rules while you are riding your electric skateboard on the sidewalk to avoid any unwanted accidents. There are also no clear legislations about electric skateboards in West Virginia. You are still expected to ride at reasonable speeds to prevent any hazards. There are laws that you are expected to obey on the road. Virginia Code 46.2-908.1 specifies ground rules with both electric scooters and skateboards. However, there are several places in the US where the law allows you to ride your e skateboard without a hassle. I would say that an electric skateboard fits this description is would be hard to argue against it. At first, US law considered these products as illegal. Wyoming does not have any laws or definitions that fit electric scooters. Also, in many countries, the law recognizes disabled persons who use self-propelled tricycles, wheelchairs, or quadricycles as pedestrians. featured article. Every city can override these laws for their own needs. They also need appropriate lights or reflective markings as warning devices. Taking these into account should keep you and everyone around you safe from harm. We have the strictest supplier selection criteria and will only select 5-star products with excellent reputation, where you can shop with confidence and buy the best products. Or can I ride an electric skateboard on the sidewalk? Alaska Statute 28.90.990 considers them as scooters and are not for use in sidewalks, bike paths, and recreational trails. They can only operate on the streets or bike lanes if available. Scooters require special licensing (Class M or L), but you can ride (1) Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code.