E-Scooter Regulations – Scooter Injury Lawyers

E-scooters have been introduced to Los angles in the wake of Uber and Lyft vehicles populating the roads. Alternative methods of transportation have begun to get utilized due to climate and environment factors. Scooters are low power vehicles that do not produce any emissions, and the companies have developed thousands of the small vehicles across the country. The trouble is that there is little to no regulation that is enforced – the riders are essentially abandoned while using the platform and they do not know where to turn in the event of injuries. It is hard to familiarize yourself with the number of regulations and rules that apply to e-scooters, as well. We have collected these rules below for you to consider. Bear in mind that if you have been hurt in any kind of accident with an Electric scooter, you should contact our offices at once. Our law firm, the Downtown LA Law Group, will pursue the highest compensation for you to so that you are fully covered for the injuries you suffered in an incident.

Electric scooters are two-wheeled vehicles with a stand for riders. Some models have seats as well. They may have various features, such as pockets for smart phones, baskets for backpacks and book bags, large tires for easier accessibility, bright headlamps, and more. Most of the scooters travel between 15 and 18 mph and have ample batteries that are recharged either by the company’s own workers or by independent contractors who charge the scooters at their own homes.

In Los Angeles, there are currently 8 distinct companies that are licensed to provide scooters. Each company is allowed to provide 3,000 scooters to the streets, with 2,500 more in disadvantaged communities, and 5,000 more in the San Fernando Valley region. These companies are:

• Lime
• Bird
• Spin
• Bolt
• Wheels
• Jump
• Lyft
• Sherpa

These companies all utilize different brands of scooters, from GOTRAX models to Xiaomi models. Each one has its own unique qualities, such as better battery life and higher speeds. They must all adhere to the standards put forth by the City of Los Angeles, though.

As of 2019, various regulations have come into existence and laws have been specifically updated to incorporate motorized and electric scooters. These laws outline various parts of scooter riding, from parking to transportation. The companies also have various rules that they require the users to follow. It is notable that the scooters have been banned in some areas – most famously, in Beverly Hills.

The regulations for electric or motorized scooters can be found below:

• A driver’s license or learner’s permit is required in order to use an electric scooter
• Helmets are required only for individuals under the age of 18 years old (although they are strongly recommended by the law)
• Individuals can be as young as 16 years old to ride scooters
• Scooters are not required to have insurance, registration, or license plates
• Scooters should not be driven in excess of 15 mph
• Scooters should not be driven on roads where the posted speed limit exceeds 25 mph unless there is a bike lane in which the scooters can travel
• Driver must stay as close to the right side of the roadway near the curb as is practical
• Scooters must be walked across crosswalks and not ridden
• Riding on sidewalks is strictly prohibited
• Scooters must not be parked on pathways, near ADA ramps, in front of driveways and crosswalks, at transit stops, along color-coded curbs, on landscaped areas, on sidewalks less than 3 feet in width, and more; further, there are specific parking zones for scooters in some sections of the city, namely in Venice Beach and Downtown
• All riders must ride solo on their scooters, and tandem riding or riding with passengers is not allowed
• Drivers must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times to ensure safety and control
• Scooters must have white headlights on the front of the vehicle, red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle, and white or yellow reflectors on the sides of the vehicle (these requirements can be forgone if the reflectors and lights are on the rider, such as with vests or jackets)
• Handlebars must not go past the rider’s shoulders
• Scooters need kill switches that turn the motor off when the brakes are applied
• Riders must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Riders must not attach the scooter to other vehicles and be towed

As you can imagine, many of these regulations are outright ignored by riders. It is not uncommon to see young children riding the scooters with no helmets and for many people to travel on the sidewalk, often at excessive speeds. There are many opportunities for these individuals to be ticketed or fined, though, and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation encourages others to report these riders for unsafe driving.