To alleviate any uncertainty about the laws surrounding the devices, we wanted to provide the community with some basic information about them.
This month, several companies will begin renting electronically motorized boards for the community to get around Berkeley as part of the city’s Shared Electric Micromobility Program.
To alleviate any uncertainty about the laws surrounding the devices, we wanted to provide the community with some basic information about them. The California Vehicle Code (CVC) defines “an ‘electronically motorized board’ is any wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding…”—such as a sit/stand eScooter.
Here are a few laws to consider before using an electronically motorized board:
- You must be at least 16 years old to operate the device (CVC 21291)
- You must wear a helmet, unless you are 18 years old or older (CVC 21292)
- You may only operate the device on roadways with a speed limits of 35 mph or less, unless you are riding within a designated Class II or Class IV bikeway (CVC 21294)
- You may not operate the device on a roadway, bikeway, pathway, etc. at a speed in excess of 15 mph or a speed that is unsafe for the conditions (CVC 21294)
- You may not operate the device under the influence of alcohol or drugs (CVC 21296)
- When using the device during darkness, your device must be properly equipped for visibility (CVC 21293).