Relating to electric scooters, and providing penalties

The bill provides that a person operating an electric scooter 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, except those provisions which by their nature can have no application, or except as otherwise provided in the bill.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.194 also 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.434 prohibits a bicycle from being equipped with, and a person from using upon a bicycle, any siren or whistle. Under the bill, any ordinance adopted by a local authority applicable to bicycles applies to electric scooters, except to the extent such an ordinance conflicts with the bill. The bill provides that except for provisions of the Code made specifically applicable to electric scooters in the bill, electric scooters are not subject to provisions of the Code applicable to vehicles, including provisions relating to licensure, registration, titling, inspection, proof of financial liability coverage, possession of a driver’s license or permit, and the rental of motor vehicles. The bill requires a person operating an electric scooter on a bikeway or sidewalk to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and human-powered devices, and to give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian or human-powered device.397.384 include any time from sunset to sunrise, and at such other times when conditions such as fog, snow, sleet, or rain provide insufficient lighting to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead.397 requires front bicycle lamps to exhibit a white light visible from a distance of at least 300 feet to the front and rear bicycle lamps to exhibit a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear. The bill does not authorize the use of a red reflector in lieu of a rear lamp. The bill allows a person to park an electric scooter at any location where parking a bicycle is allowed. However, the bill provides that by parking an electric scooter, a person is prohibited from impeding the normal or reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic. A violation of the bill is punishable by a scheduled fine of $15.