E-scooter Laws: Riding in Places with Undefined Regulations
Check local traffic laws before riding your electric scooter to avoid legal trouble and potentially hefty fees.
Riding an electric scooter is a convenient and exciting means of urban mobility without negatively impacting the planet’s sustainability. Combining micromobility with electric vehicle (EV) technology, the e-scooter emerged as the fastest-growing sector of green travel.
However, e-scooter riding rules can be as assorted as the constantly growing number of electric scooter models in the market. Some areas have well-defined regulations, while others have no policies at all.
Notable Electric Scooter Regulations
When scheduled to ride an e-scooter in a location for the first time, you should never forget to check local laws. Some cities consider electric scooters as motorcycles, some classify them as bicycles, and others place them into a separate category.
- Michigan — This state treats e-scooters as low-speed electric-powered scooters, requiring riders to follow the same rules as bicycle users. Hence, the rider must use bike lanes whenever possible while not exceeding the speed limit of 20 mph.
- Nevada — This state classifies e-scooters, electric skateboards, and motor-powered bicycles as one category. Hence, riders must always wear an appropriate helmet and carry a valid driver’s license.
- Europe — Many European cities only permit electric scooters in specially designated lanes while imposing a speed limit of 15.5 mph.
Check local traffic laws before driving your electric scooter to avoid legal trouble and potentially hefty fees.
Challenges of Undefined E-scooter Regulations
In locations with no definite electric scooter laws, you may encounter the following challenges:
- Accidents and Safety — A lack of a fixed speed limit or designated area for e-scooter riding can lead to accidents involving other vehicles or pedestrians.
- Conflicts with Pedestrians — Electric riders may get into arguments with pedestrians regarding which lanes to use.
- Legal Confusion — Riders can unknowingly break local regulations when riding an e-scooter without clear guidelines.
Despite the lack of clear rules, electric scooter riders must ride responsibly. This includes taking basic precautions, including wearing a helmet, conducting a pre-ride inspection, and respecting pedestrians.
The Flash Motors Nano Elite will help you avoid traffic infractions by using advanced artificial intelligence to assist you during your electric scooter ride.
