In this day and age, we have several different ways to explore our cities.
Among them are some new and improved fun transportation forms, like electric bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards.
These rides are great for commuting and can help us protect the environment.
Still, the question we want to ask is: Are they legal?
Is it possible to use our electric scooters on the road or on the sidewalk?
Do we need to wear protective gear when driving them?
Unfortunately, these questions can’t just be answered with simple yeses or nos.
Whether you can ride your e-scooters legally will depend on certain state and local laws.
The state you live in might allow the use of these vehicles, but your town could have a different idea.
Today, we’ll be going over the current general laws that address these newer modes of transportation and point out how they vary between states.
This should help you determine if e-scooters are legal in your part of the country.
U.S. E-Scooter Laws
In many areas, electric bikes and scooters have, more or less, the same laws.
However, compared to the newer models of e-scooters, electric bikes have been around for a lot longer.
More research on how these vehicles affect the public has also been done.
With that said, experts have now begun to study how e-scooters affect the public in comparison to e-bikes, as well.
Do they result in more crashes? Are drivers of e-scooters more reckless? How do e-scooters affect other people who are on the road?
The answers to these questions then result in the tweaking of already-existing laws rather than the creation of new ones.
Most agree that e-bikes and e-scooters aren’t too different, which is why there is no need for a new set of regulations.
In most areas, you are allowed to use your scooters on trails, pathways, and roads with bike lanes.
There’s no need to carry a license or have your vehicle insured or registered, too.
You just have to make sure not to ride your scooters on the sidewalk.
These are the general laws, but what do the other cities have to say about driving e-scooters?
California E-Scooter Law
Dockless e-scooters have become all the rage in California. They are convenient, fun, and environment-friendly.
Plus, they also help fill the last-mile gaps of a variety of public transportation methods.
While California has made e-scooters legal, they do make clear some restrictions, which are:
- The maximum speed limit of 15 mph when riding on the street; 25 mph if on a bike lane
- Bike helmet must be worn at all times
- Rider must carry a valid driver’s license
- Sidewalks are off-limits
- Maintain a position on the right side of the street
Texas E-Scooter Law
Texas is a bit more lenient compared to California when it comes to e-scooter laws.
For instance, they will allow you to ride your e-scooters on the streets and on the sidewalks for as long as you don’t go over 35 mph.
They also use the same laws for electric scooters as they do for bicycles, such as requiring you to use your arms to signal turns and following speed limits.
The city of Austin makes use of a variety of cutting-edge transport methods.
Because of this, it has also gone through so many headaches related to their adoption of this game-changing technology.
They’re a bit more stringent with e-scooter laws compared to their mother state; nevertheless, they still do allow the use of such contraptions with slightly more restrictions.
New York E-Scooter Law
According to scootersdream.com, it doesn’t matter how awesome your e-scooter is; you won’t be allowed to take it for a stroll in the city of dreams.
New York state law dictates that any type of motorized scooter is not allowed on parking lots, sidewalks, streets, and highways.
Don’t give up too soon, though, because things can still change.
Even though the law governing scooters and bikes in New York is less progressive, it’s still moving forward.
Seeing as they have already allowed pedal-assist bicycles to roam their streets recently, how far behind could e-scooters be?
It is only a matter of time before NY decides to modernize its bike regulations to gain favor with the urban commuters.
So, Are Electric Scooters Legal in the US?
Generally, the answer to this question would be a yes. In most places, you can ride your e-scooters as you would a bike.
Just make sure to not ride them on the sidewalk, to observe speed limits, and to use bike lanes.
Also, depending on your local and college laws, there will either be fewer or more restrictions on using your e-scooter.
Hence, even if you know it’s legal to drive these scooters in your state, always make sure to check with your city or town regulations to ensure that you won’t be doing anything illegally.