The most popular micro-mobility technology is electric skateboards. With new technology also comes more recent regulations that ensure everyone is safe. These should keep you and everyone around you safe from harm.
Federal laws require conditions for the practice of controlling low-power electric vehicles and even overturn city laws.
What’s the regulation for your state? What are the local laws in your area, and how far-reaching are they? Please review our comprehensive list and follow it when you get out with your skateboard.
Alabama
In Alabama, there are different laws regarding electric skateboards. Users would require a bike license with a B-restriction per local DMV laws. B-restriction limits motor-driven cycle use for anyone 14 years old or above.
Alaska
In Alaska, any motorized vehicle that is not 100% human-powered is not a bicycle under law. They are classified as a skateboard. These need at least an M2 Class license to operate.
Your vehicle should be:
- A vehicle with two non-tandem wheels that self-balances
- Designed to transport one person
- Uses electric propulsion
- It has a top speed of less than 15 mph (24 km/h)
If your electric skateboard qualifies, you should be good to go.
California
California has among the most complicated but well-defined laws concerning electric vehicles. The DMV of California states that motorized skateboards don’t require registration, license plates, or insurance. Riders can use bicycle paths, trails, or bikeways but not sidewalks.
For electric skateboards, AB604 defines the micro-mobility vehicle’s limitations.
This includes:
- Wearing a helmet
- Speed limit under 35 mph (56 km/h)
- Prohibited from riding on highways
- Top speed at 20 mph (32 km/h)
- The board should have an average power of 1000 watts or less.
- Prohibited from riding on the public property at more than 15 mph (24 km/h)
- The rider or the board must have a white front headlight and yellow side reflectors at night.
If your e-skateboard does not fit, you can’t ride it in public.
Florida
There are no exact details about Florida’s statutes on electric skateboards. The nearest definition lumps them in with motorized personal mobility devices. The detailed report lists the following:
- With a motor with a maximum output of 750 W
- The speed limit of 20 mph (32 km/h)
Anyone below 16 years old may not use such vehicles. They can also be used on sidewalks if it gives pedestrian access.
Georgia
No specific laws in Georgia refer to electric skateboards. The closest law comes from Georgia’s low-speed vehicles code. In this, it’s possible to consider them as either motor-driven cycles or electric personal assisted mobility devices (EPAMD).
Either way, the rider should stay away from sidewalks and ride only on bike lanes. Their treatment is similar to a vehicle unless the rider is walking with the car in tow.
New Mexico
New Mexico does not have all-encompassing rules and regulations about micro-mobility vehicles. It is up to cities to regulate these and give their provisions.
Albuquerque, for example, requires users below 18 years old to use helmets. They are only usable on bike lanes and should follow the road rules.
New York
Owning your electric skateboard in New York is legal, and the state legislature approves them. Even then, the state leaves the jurisdiction to the cities, so rules vary from city to city. It is up to the local city council to provide local city ordinances.
There are no clear lines where electric skateboards go in New York’s legislature. Many users ride them almost anywhere without regulation. It’s best to go around cities with safety and respect for road rules.
Washington
RCW 46.04.336 defines electric scooters as motorized foot scooters. They are unusable on sidewalks and can go to most areas allowed for bicycles. Users should wear bicycle helmets and cannot exceed 20 mph (32 km/h).
Electric skateboards are not under regulation in Washington State. Skateboard users are pedestrians by law and cannot use bike lanes.
Conclusion
Electric skateboards are catching up in use and value. Electric skateboard laws in America seek to understand the use of new transportation. States can benefit if they can determine the best rules for their residents. Right now, both e-scooters and e-skateboards are new technology. If laws catch up enough, people will see the value of micro-mobility in their lives. Until then, it’s best to keep common-sense safety laws to heart.
