Effective - 28 Aug 2021
307.194. Electric bicycles — rights and privileges — label, requirements — modifications require new label — product safety standards — authorized to ride, where, exceptions — class 3 electric bicycles, special provisions. — 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, every person riding an electric bicycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the operator of a bicycle. An electric bicycle shall be considered a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle.
2. An electric bicycle or a person operating an electric bicycle is not subject to provisions of law that are applicable to motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, off-highway vehicles, motor vehicle rentals, motor vehicle dealers or franchises, or motorcycle dealers or franchises, including vehicle registration, certificates of title, drivers' licenses, and financial responsibility.
3. Beginning August 28, 2021, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a permanent label to each electric bicycle. The label, which shall be affixed to the electric bicycle in a prominent location, shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle. The text on the label shall be Arial font and in at least nine-point type.
4. No person shall tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric bicycle unless he or she replaces the label required under subsection 3 of this section with a new label indicating the new classification.
5. An electric bicycle shall comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 16 CFR 1512.
6. An electric bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the rider stops pedaling or when the brakes are applied.
7. An electric bicycle may be ridden where bicycles are permitted to travel, subject to the following provisions:
(1) An electric bicycle may be ridden on bicycle or multi-use paths where bicycles are permitted;
(2) Following notice and a public hearing, a municipality, local authority, or state agency having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path may prohibit the operation of a class 1 electric bicycle or class 2 electric bicycle on that path if it finds that such a restriction is needed for safety reasons or compliance with other laws or legal obligations;
(3) A municipality, local authority, or state agency having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path may prohibit the operation of a class 3 electric bicycle on that path; and
(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a trail that is specifically designated as nonmotorized and that has a natural surface tread that is made by clearing and grading the native soil with no added surfacing materials. A local authority or agency of the state having jurisdiction over a trail described in this subsection may regulate the use of an electric bicycle on that trail.
8. The use of class 3 electric bicycles shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1) No person under sixteen years of age shall operate a class 3 electric bicycle. A person under sixteen years of age may ride as a passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers; and
(2) All class 3 electric bicycles shall be equipped with a speedometer that is capable of displaying the speed an electric bicycle is traveling in miles per hour.
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(L. 2021 S.B. 176)