Are Electric Scooters Allowed on Bike Trails?

Do you want to know if you are allowed to ride an electric scooter on a bike trail? Then this article is a must-read. Read on to know whether or not you can ride an e-bike on a bike trail.

Yes, you can ride an electric scooter on a bike trail, but there are certain limitations to it. The most important thing to consider is the laws of your area or state because not all areas permit riding e-bikes on bike trails.

Are you planning to buy an electric scooter but don’t know if you will be able to ride it on the bike trail in your area or not? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We have come up with this detailed guide so you can find out whether you can actually ride your electric scooter on a bike trail or not.

Are electric scooters allowed on bike trails?

The answer to this question can be both a yes and a no. This is because of the different state rule limitations. This article will cover specifically electric scooter riding information in the United States. Below, we’ll discuss a few of the most famous places in the U.S. and their rules.

Electric scooter rules

• Alabama

In Birmingham, electric scooters are considered motor vehicles and need license plates. Motorcycle licenses are required for scooter operators. Electric scooters in Auburn, Alabama, are now prohibited from being used on the state’s highways due to safety concerns. They also argue that Tuscaloosa’s municipal limits don’t allow electric scooters.

Recently amended electric scooter rules in Alabama more clearly separate a scooter from a motor vehicle, which had not been envisaged when the laws were initially passed, as per Ken Riley, Partner at Farris, Riley & Pitt. Each community has its own unique needs, and now towns may design their regulations to meet them. While some communities are concerned about scooter traffic, others see the notion as a boon to their residents.

While electric scooters are yet to make an impact in Birmingham, similar cities with a long history of scooter use could serve as inspiration for the city’s efforts to create an effective local ordinance that provides both safety and freedom for the public. In the scooter world, there is no shortage of debate, and it will take deliberate planning to develop a framework that other cities may use as a model.

• Arizona

Electric scooters with motors under 750W and a peak speed under 20mph are subject to Arizona’s electrical or electric-assisted bicycle rules, according to the state. No regional or local legislation in Arizona governs the usage of electric bicycles, thus federal regulations are applicable. The pedals on these vehicles must be completely functional, and they must meet all of the same safety requirements as regular bicycles. You may ride these electric scooters on the sidewalks and bike lanes, as long as they meet the definition of a bicycle.

These scooters are not permitted to be used in lanes of traffic or on highways, and they can only hold one person. In Arizona, electric scooters can be driven in bike lanes and at speeds under 20mph. Only a driver’s license and proof of insurance are necessary.

• Arkansas

In Arkansas, riders must be at least 16 years old. Additionally, scooters must adhere to a 15mph speed restriction. Scooters that are shared must have an electric motor that is less than 750 watts. When parked, rented scooters must be capable of standing firmly upright.

• California

The new electric scooter regulation in California took effect on 1 January 2019. Over speeding on an electric scooter is strictly forbidden on open streets and bike lanes. Even though they can be used on roadways with a 25mph speed limit, the 15mph limit for scooters remains in force.

• Delaware

Motorized skateboards and scooters may not be operated or ridden by anybody under the age of 16 unless they’re protected by a bicycle-style helmet in Delaware. All motorized skateboards and scooters are prohibited from being used on public roadways in this state. Public roads, streets, and sidewalks can be crossed or walked on while the engine is deactivated on a scooter.

• Florida

Florida does not allow electric scooters without seats to be used on the road or sidewalks. If you’re above the age of 16, you don’t need a helmet to ride an electric scooter. However, in Florida, a driver’s license is not required to operate a motorized scooter.

• Georgia

As long as there is no bike lane or pathway available, citizens of the state of Georgia can ride electric scooters along bike trails, bike lanes, and highways with a speed restriction of 35mph or less.

• Illinois

It is required that all licensed vehicles, especially mopeds, scooters (or motor-driven cycles), and motorcycles, carry liability insurance, that protects harm to persons and their property in the case of an accident. Liability insurance is available for purchase from several companies.

• Indiana

Electric scooters are not permitted on the pavement, cultural path, or some of the greenways in Indianapolis. Electric scooters must be ridden on public roads by all applicable traffic rules. They are not allowed to ride in the bike lane, drive in the wrong direction on a one-way street, or ride with the flow of traffic. The electric scooters cannot be used in the traffic lane on the other side of the road. Electric scooters must be parked with four feet of spacing on the sidewalk, although helmets are not yet required.

• Iowa

By a bill currently heading through the Iowa House Transportation Committee, electric scooters are defined as scooters that weigh less than 100 pounds and are prepared with two or three wheels, handlebars, a floorboard able to support a standing rider, and are powered either by the rider or by an electric motor capable of speeds up to 20 miles per hour. The measure seeks to treat scooters in the same manner that bicycles are treated, allowing them to be used on highways, sidewalks, and bikeways.

• Kansas

You can’t ride on the sidewalk with your bike or e-scooter; you must use the roadway and bike lanes wherever feasible. It is not mandatory to wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter; however, it is recommended. Scooters should be parked near existing bike racks. Electric scooters must also be kept out of the way of doors. In addition to the entrances of companies, this covers crosswalks and other areas where pedestrians may be at risk of tripping. Electric scooters can only be used by people who have a valid driver’s license.

• Kentucky

Electrified scooters in Kentucky are not required to be registered with the government or to acquire insurance under state law. Parking on the sidewalk is permitted as long as it does not obstruct pedestrian traffic. There are no helmet restrictions in Kentucky.

• Louisiana

It is legal to drive an electric low-speed scooter in Louisiana if the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less, according to the DMV. The scooter can only accommodate one rider at a time. When riding a scooter, you must always wear a helmet.

• Maine

Except when overtaking another driver or making a left turn, electric scooter operators are required to always go to the farthest correct side of the road when operating their vehicles. 20mph is the maximum speed that electric scooters are authorized to travel. To ride at night, your scooter must be equipped with a front light that produces a white light that is seen from a minimum of 200 feet away as well as rear lighting or reflectors that generates red or amber light that is seen from a minimum of 200 feet behind your vehicle. Reflectors are required for electric scooters as well.

• Maryland

A functional kickstand or another structural function that allows the vehicle to be parked straight up without any need to bend against a framework or object is required as well as front and rear lights that illuminate while the dock-less vehicle is in use. A speed governor, which ensures that the vehicle does not move faster than 15 miles per hour on flat ground and which may be programmed to “geo-fence,” a decreased speed in specific sites designated by the Department of Transportation, is also required for scooters.

• Minnesota

A motorized foot scooter, also known as an electric scooter or a motorized foot scooter, is a device that allows riders to sit or stand on it, has handlebars, is fueled by either an electric motor or a combustion engine, has tires no bigger than 12 inches wide and has a top speed of no and over 15 miles per hour on a flat surface. To drive a motorized foot scooter, riders should be at least 12 years old. There is no requirement for a license or registration.

• Mississippi

While electric scooters may not be permitted on public walkways, they may be permitted everywhere a bicycle is permitted. A rider under the age of 16 is exempt from the requirement to wear a helmet. The bill also mandates that scooters must be placed straight and not in a way that impedes traffic. Any scooter left in the same place for more than 2 days may be removed. Access to public transportation, disability parking, building doors, and curb ramps cannot be obstructed by scooters.

• Missouri

Electric scooters can be used on the street or in bike lanes if they are available in Missouri. Pedestrians have the right of way in all situations. There must be a verbal warning from the rider if they plan on passing. Motorists, on the other hand, are expected to abide by all traffic laws at all times.

• Montana

Mature electric scooter users are prohibited from using the sidewalks in the state of Montana. Pedestrians have the right of way in all situations. Electric scooter riders are required to provide a verbal warning before passing and to always adhere to traffic regulations.

• Nevada

Electric scooters may only be used by people over the age of 16 in Nevada, and local governments have the power to control them, including forcing operators to spend a charge for operating a scooter-share program.

• New Jersey

Electric scooters will be limited to a max speed of 19mph under a new bill. Electric bikes and scooters are permitted on bike routes unless otherwise forbidden by local or state restrictions; however, they are normally not permitted on dirt trails under the new legislation.

• New Mexico

Albuquerque’s city rules mandate that cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet and ride in designated bike paths on the right-hand side of the street. When there is no shared path, sidewalk usage is permitted. Traffic regulations, signals, and signs must be followed by all riders. There are no ART lanes for scooters, just like there are no ART lanes for bikes. Intoxicated or drugged riders aren’t allowed to use electric scooters that go quicker than 15 miles per hour.

• New York

Electric scooters have been legalized by the state legislature, but towns have the option of regulating the vehicles in their way. In Manhattan and other densely populated areas, shared scooter firms are prohibited from operating. In New York City, it is allowed to possess an electric scooter.

Conclusion:

This was all about riding electric scooters on bike trails. Hopefully, we were able to create a clear picture in your mind regarding your questions of whether it is permissible to ride e-bikes on bike trails or not. Even if e-bike riding on bike trails is allowed in your area, always take care of the trail rules and e-bike riding regulations. This is necessary for experiencing safe and smooth e-bike rides.