Can electric scooters be ridden on sidewalks?
Electric scooters have won over the American market during the last two decades. You come across a lot of people commuting on E-scooters daily. The sale of these products is partly due to the convenience of commuting and largely because of the economic aspect. Considering the hype, it is also important to have sufficient information about the operation perspective. One of the key questions in this regard is the regulations around riding an e-scooter in the USA. Today, we will try to find the answer to one such question: "Are electric scooters allowed on sidewalks." Although the answer might sound simple, it is not. Let's discuss in detail the reasons:
Are electric scooters allowed on sidewalks?
Yes, you read it right! If you are looking for an answer to "Are electric scooters allowed on sidewalks?", particularly in the USA, you have to look at the micro-level at the laws in each state of the USA. Here are the details:
- California: If you are in California, commuting on your e-scooter, you are allowed to stay in the bike lane only. Alternatively, you can also go on the right-hand side of the road. However, it is not permitted to ride your e-scooter on the sidewalk. Besides, if you are at an intersection, you must dismount the vehicle and walk across.
- Texas: Here, you can go along with other traffic. But, if there is a bike lane, you must go in that lane. In fact, in Texas, the laws encourage people with E-scooters to ride on the road or bike lane instead of the sidewalk. However, some sidewalks are exempted from your access if you are in Austin. So, a little research will save you a lot of trouble.
- Colorado: Surprisingly, this is the only state where you can only ride your e-scooters on the sidewalk. Yes, since local law enforcement agencies consider the electric scooter a toy, you can not go with the flowing traffic on the main road with your e-scooter.
- Washington DC: Again, you can not ride your e-scooter on a sidewalk, especially with a bike lane. However, there is an exemption also: if the road you are travelling on comes under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, you can ride on the sidewalk with your scooter.
Are electric scooters allowed:
After a detailed discussion of the State-wise respective laws regarding "Are electric scooters allowed on sidewalks?", you must be confused about the bottom line. So, here I would suggest you the following:
- Always go by the book. Yes, visit the official website of your state Department of Motor Vehicles before you decide to hit the road. The website has all the formal regulations listed to ensure a smooth flow of information.
- If you are still looking for relevant concrete information on the website, you can consult your local police station. Most of the Police stations are easily accessible on a phone call. So, it is a recommended route.
General Laws on Electric Scooters
If you think that it is too much to absorb about "Are electric scooters allowed on sidewalks," here are some general rules when it comes to commuting on e-scooters in the States:
- Being an adult (16 years or older), you can ride your scooter without a helmet.
- Turning 16, you can drive on the public road.
- You cannot ride on a sidewalk or bike path if you have a full-sized electric scooter.
- The riders who have a scooter that is 50cc and has a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour or higher can only hit the road with a valid driver's license.
- Besides, you must go through the annual registration process to open a full-sized electric scooter.
Signals:
While you are commuting on your electric scooter, safety is the first thing to consider. Be mindful that you must communicate with fellow drivers before taking a turn. This thing is equally important on the road or the sidewalk. You may install an electric indicator on your vehicle or go with hand signalling. However, remember that not all models of e-scooters can be driven single-handedly, so sometimes it is risky to use hand signals while on the road.
The most frequently asked question is, "Are electric scooters allowed on sidewalks?". Now you have all the relevant information regarding the legislation. However, no matter where you are driving, i.e., road or sidewalk, safety should come first. So, drive carefully and stay safe!