What does California’s New Traffic Safety Law Mean for Electric Scooters?

An electric scooter, including a long range electric scooter, is a device used as the simplest mode of transportation. A device comprising a handlebar, two wheels, a motor, and a floorboard to stand on to rising is an electric scooter. If you are about to ride an electric scooter, regardless of their kind, you need to follow some prescribed traffic safety laws. These laws help you get a safe riding experience. However, it is to inform you that violating these rules will charge you a traffic ticket. 

California’s New Traffic Safety Law You Should Know Before Riding Electric Scooters

If you are a scooter rider or about to start scooter riding with an electric moped for adults or other forms, you should know these new traffic rules imposed by California’s government to have a safe scooter riding experience: 

 1. Riders Under 18 Years of Age Should Wear A Helmet (California Vehicle Code 21235(c))

California Vehicle Code 21235 is specifically written for electric scooters consisting of an electric motor, a handlebar, and a floorboard. According to this code or law, riders who are under 18 years of age should wear a helmet. Otherwise, they are not allowed to ride an electric scooter on the road. However, remember that the helmet has to fit properly and be fastened. 

Adults or riders above 18 years of age are not required to comply with this rule. However, they are allowed to ride an electric scooter without wearing a helmet. As well as this, some electric scooter manufacturing companies like Spine, Lime, and Bird recommend riding a scooter, long range electric scooter only when wearing a helmet. However, riding without a helmet is often done at the rider’s own risk. 

The government has also warned that violating this rule will charge a ticket of around $200. However, a report has shown that the majority of the e-scooter tickets have been charged for not wearing a helmet. 

2. 15 mph is the Maximum Allowed Speed (CVC 22411)

This state’s traffic law enforces a limitation on the speed of an electric scooter. It limits the maximum speed to 15mph, even for a foldable electric scooter for adults. Remember that over speeding will result in a ticket and a traffic stop. The cost of the over speeding ticket is $250. The famous electric scooter manufacturing companies, including Bird and Varla, build scooters with a speed limit of around 15 mph. However, certain conditions like going downhill and fully accelerating can make the scooter go faster. 

3. Ride Electric Scooters in the Bike Lane (CVC 21229)

CVC 21229 states law advises riding an electric scooter in a bike lane. The bike lane may also be known as bikeways, bicycle paths, or bike paths. Whatever option is available, ensure that you are following the recommended lane. However, the traffic law refers to a “Class II bicycle lane”. Usually, these types of lanes are on the street’s right edge. However, these lanes are prominent with a solid white line on each side. Inside the white border, the lane usually has a symbol of a bicycle. Remember that it only facilitates one-way riding. 

However, the law allows only 04 exceptions while riding your electric scooter or an electric moped for adults in a Class II bike lane, and these are mentioned below: 

• When another pedestrian or vehicle is passing the lane
• When completing a left-hand turn 
• When you need to take a turn on the right 
• When you need to evade debris or other hazards found in the lane

4. Must have a Valid License, No Passengers, and not Riding on the Sidewalks (CVC 21235)

In addition, to wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter on the road, you should also prohibit the following actions, keeping you away from violating the state’s rules of traffic: 

• Having passengers while riding an electric scooter (also known as a tandem ride)
• Riding on the sidewalk (remember that you are only allowed to ride on the sidewalk when you are about to park getting back a scooter from parking onto the street)
• Driving an electric scooter without holding a learner’s permit or a valid driving license.

Remember that violation of any of the prohibitions mentioned above will penalize you with a ticket costing $200. 

5. Walk and Dismount for Left Hand Turns (CVC 21228)

Whether you ride a foldable adult scooter or other forms, this is one of the onerous traffic rules and is specifically implemented for electric scooter riders. The law enforces an electric scooter to turn by the following: 

• Stop after intersecting the right curb
• Dismounting 
• When crossing the roadway on foot

The rule is especially enforced to prevent electric scooter accidents on the road.

6. Crosswalk Laws (CVC 275)

CVC 275 code or law defines the specified crosswalk requirements for electric scooter riders. According to this definition, crosswalks are technically sidewalks at the streets where intersections are approximately right angles. Under this law, riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk is a violation of the rule. So, it is advisable to avoid riding under such conditions. Remember that violating this rule will lead to a traffic ticket costing around $200.

7. Electric Scooter must Follow all the Traffic Rules as Other Motorbikes Do (CVC 21221)

This rule is a catch-all rule for electric scooter riders. For example, this law indicates that electric scooters have all the same rights and responsibilities as other motor vehicles have on the road. Also, remember that any specific traffic rule violation under this law or code will charge you a ticket costing around $350.

The Bottom Line 

The California state government embosses all these rules and regulations on electric scooter riders. Every citizen who wants to have a safe electric scooter riding experience in California must adopt or follow these rules. However, if you are confused about any of these traffic rules, you must consult the experts or traffic professionals. They will help you kill your ambiguities. Remember that violation will cause a fine or ticket costing differently according to the set rule.