Relating to low-speed electric bicycles, providing penalties, making penalties applicable, and including applicability provisions

Under current law, the definition of “bicycle” includes a device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts with a maximum speed of less than miles per hour when powered solely by the electric motor. This bill strikes that provision and includes low-speed electric bicycles within the definition of “bicycle”. The bill defines the term “low-speed electric bicycle”, including three defined classes.1, thereby making the provisions of Code chapter 321 (motor vehicles and law of the road) relating to vehicles, motor vehicles, automobiles, cars, motorcycles, and motorized bicycles inapplicable to low-speed electric bicycles. 1. Under the bill, a person operating a low-speed electric bicycle on a highway is subject to the provisions of Code chapter 321 applicable to a rider of a bicycle on a highway and has all the rights and duties under Code chapter 321 applicable to a rider of a bicycle.234, a person riding a bicycle on a highway is subject to the provisions of Code chapter 321 and has all the rights and duties applicable to a driver of a vehicle, except those provisions which by their nature can have no application.234 prohibits a person from using a bicycle on a highway to carry more persons at one time than the number of persons for which the bicycle is designed and equipped.281 prohibits a person operating a motor vehicle from steering the motor vehicle unreasonably close to or toward a person riding a bicycle on a highway, including the roadway or the shoulder adjacent to the roadway, and prohibits a person from knowingly projecting any object or substance at or against a person riding a bicycle on a highway.397 requires bicycles to at certain times be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light, except that a red reflector may be used in lieu of a rear light.434 prohibits a bicycle from being equipped with, and a person from using upon a bicycle, any siren or whistle.236(10). The bill provides that except for provisions of the Code made specifically applicable to low-speed electric bicycles in the bill, low-speed electric bicycles are not subject to the provisions of the Code applicable to vehicles, including provisions relating to licensure, registration, titling, inspection, proof of financial liability coverage, and possession of a driver’s license or permit. The bill provides that a person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle any place where a bicycle is allowed to operate, including but not limited to streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, bikeways, and bicycle or multi-use paths. Beginning January 1, 2021, the bill requires manufacturers and distributors of low-speed electric bicycles to apply a label to each low-speed electric bicycle identifying the class of the bicycle, the bicycle’s top assisted speed, and the bicycle’s motor wattage. The bill further prohibits a person from modifying the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle such that the low-speed electric bicycle does not qualify for a class as provided for in the bill. A person who has modified the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle must affix a new label containing the required information as provided for in the bill to the modified low-speed electric bicycle. 1512 and be manufactured to operate in such a manner that when the rider stops pedaling, applies the brakes, or the electric motor is disengaged, the electric motor assist ceases to function. The bill provides that a class low-speed electric bicycle shall not be operated unless it is equipped with a speedometer that displays its speed in miles per hour. The bill also prohibits persons under the age of from operating a class low-speed electric bicycle. However, such persons may ride as a passenger on a class low-speed electric bicycle. A violation of the bill is punishable by a scheduled fine of $15.1 related to the establishment of recreational bikeways.