Springfield Police Department

Friendly Reminder for E-Transportation safety!

 

Motorized Foot Scooter:
"Motorized foot scooter" means a device with handlebars designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion, and that has no more than two 12-inch or smaller diameter wheels and has an engine or motor that is capable of a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour on a flat surface with not more than one percent grade in any direction when the motor is engaged.

Key Rules:

• No person under the age of 12 years may operate a motorized foot scooter.
• No person under the age of 18 years may operate a motorized foot scooter without wearing properly fitted and fastened protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.
• A motorized foot scooter must be equipped with a headlight and a taillight that comply with standards established by the commissioner of public safety if the vehicle is operated under conditions when vehicle lights are required by law.
• No person may operate a motorized foot scooter upon a sidewalk, except when necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
• A person operating a motorized foot scooter on a roadway shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
• A person may operate a motorized foot scooter on a bicycle path, bicycle lane, bicycle trail, or bikeway that is not reserved for the exclusive use of nonmotorized traffic, unless the local authority or governing body having jurisdiction over that path, lane, trail, or bikeway prohibits operation by law.
• No person may operate a motorized foot scooter that is carrying any person other than the operator.

Electric-Assisted Bicycles:

"Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

"Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle without the rider pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

"Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle" means an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.

Key Rules:

• A person may operate an electric-assisted bicycle in the same manner as provided for operation of other bicycles, including but not limited to operation on the shoulder of a roadway, a bicycle lane, and a bicycle route, and operation without the motor engaged on a bikeway or bicycle trail.
• A person may operate a class 1 or class 2 electric-assisted bicycle with the motor engaged on a bicycle path, bicycle trail, or shared use path unless otherwise prohibited.
• A person may operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle or multiple mode electric-assisted bicycle with the motor engaged on a bicycle path, bicycle trail, or shared use path unless the local authority or state agency having jurisdiction over the bicycle path or trail prohibits the operation.
• A person under the age of 15 must not operate an electric-assisted bicycle.
• No person shall operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with (1) a lamp which emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and (2) a red reflector of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety which is visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A bicycle equipped with lamps that are visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from both the front and the rear is deemed to fully comply with this paragraph.

 

Motorized bicycle:  "Motorized bicycle" means a bicycle that is propelled by an electric or a liquid fuel motor of a piston displacement capacity of 50 cubic centimeters or less, and a maximum of two brake horsepower, which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on a flat surface with not more than one percent grade in any direction when the motor is engaged. Motorized bicycle does not include an electric-assisted bicycle.

Key Rules

• A motorized bicycle must be equipped with a headlight and taillight meeting the requirements of lighting for motorcycles may be operated during nighttime hours.
• Protective headgear is not required for operators 18 years of age or older.
• A motorized bicycle may be operated under either a driver's license or a motorized bicycle permit issued.
• A person under the age of 16 operating a motorized bicycle under a motorized bicycle permit is subject to the restrictions imposed by section 169.974, subdivision 2, on operation of a motorcycle under a two-wheel instruction permit, except that:
  • (1) a parent or guardian of an operator under the age of 16 may also ride on the motorized bicycle as a passenger or operator if the motorized bicycle is equipped with a seat and footrests for a second passenger;
  • (2) a motorized bicycle equipped with a headlight and taillight meeting the requirements of lighting for motorcycles may be operated during nighttime hours;
  • (3) protective headgear includes headgear described in subdivision 1; and
  • (4) protective headgear is required only until the operator reaches the age of 18 years.
• No person shall operate a motorized bicycle upon a sidewalk at any time, except when such operation is necessary for the most direct access to a roadway from a driveway, alley or building.

 

REFERENCES:

169.011 DEFINITIONS OF E-BICYCLE, MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTER, AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE
163.225 MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTER REGULATIONS
169.222 E-BICYCLE DRIVING LAWS
169.223 MOTORZIED BICYCLE LAWS