Can I Ride an Electric Scooter on the Road?

Electric scooters offer agility, portability, and ease of use in tight spaces. Much like bicycles, they can achieve relatively high speeds and have reliable steering and braking systems.

Table of Content

But where exactly do e-scooters fit within the urban landscape? Should they remain on sidewalks, venture onto the roads, or stick to bike lanes? Let’s explore where you can legally ride your electric scooter.

Can I Ride My Electric Scooter on the Road?

In many areas, to ride electric scooter on the road is restricted, with regulations typically directing them towards designated areas like bike lanes, multi-use paths, and shared roadways.

If these designated routes are not available and sidewalks are off-limits, to ride electric scooter on the road may be allowed under specific conditions. Riders must stay close to the edge of the road (road shoulder) and travel in the same direction as traffic. This rule helps reduce disruptions in vehicle traffic flow since scooters generally move slower than cars.

In some locations, electric scooters are grouped with mopeds and motorized cycles, which imposes additional requirements. This may include registration (which might be unfeasible for many models without a Vehicle Identification Number), a valid driver’s license (often requiring a motorcycle endorsement), and insurance.

Complicating the situation, certain areas impose speed limits on electric scooters, usually between 15 and 20 mph. However, some roads have minimum speed limits ranging from 25 to 50 mph, which can make using scooters on those roads impractical.

To navigate these rules, it’s essential to understand the local laws where you plan to ride to determine if your scooter can legally share the road or if the regulations make it impractical.

Rules and Safety Guidelines for Road Riding

Lane Usage

Firstly, riding on the road, stay close to the right edge, moving in the direction of traffic. Maintain a buffer of about 3 feet from parked cars or road edges. In right-hand traffic countries, this means to ride electric scooter on the road on the right side, while in left-hand traffic countries, it means the left side.

Riding against traffic may seem safer for visibility, but it’s riskier due to unpredictability and potential collisions. Riding with traffic reduces the chance of accidents and is less severe in rear-end collisions compared to head-on crashes.

Moreover, avoid riding in the middle of the road, as it increases accident risk and disrupts traffic flow. In addition, when riding in pairs, stay single-file to avoid pushing the second rider towards the middle.

Give Space and Master Your Brakes

To ensure safety, always maintain adequate space from vehicles and pedestrians. This buffer allows you to react to unexpected situations. Furthermore, understanding and mastering your scooter’s braking system is crucial for safety and helps avoid accidents.

Observe Speed Limits

Additionally, each road and path has its own speed limits. For example, some scooter models come with apps to set speed caps, helping you stay within legal limits. Avoid high-speed roads and keep speeds low in pedestrian-heavy areas to prevent accidents.

Scouting the Best Routes

In order to enhance safety, choosing the right route enhances safety and comfort:

Opt for Designated oads: Stick to bike lanes and designated paths whenever possible.
Claim Your Lane: In bike lanes or paths, ride in the center to increase visibility and avoid close encounters with vehicles.
Seek Quieter Routes: Favor less busy streets and residential areas over high-traffic zones.
Sidewalk Riding: As a last resort, ride on sidewalks respectfully and safely. Plan routes to avoid major roads and intersections.

Pre-Ride Planning

Therefore, before setting out, use mapping apps like Google Maps to plan your route, avoiding congested areas and finding scooter-friendly paths. As cities develop more infrastructure for alternative transport, new routes become available.

Visibility and Auditory Signals

Consequently, given their small size, electric scooters can be hard to see, especially in low light. Ensure your scooter has a headlight, taillight, and brake light, and consider using hand signals for turning or stopping. While bells or horns can alert pedestrians, they might not be heard over traffic noise. For tips on staying visible while riding, check out How to Stay Visible While Riding.

Overview of Laws and Regulations

Overall, scooter laws vary widely by state and city. In most places, you won’t need a driver’s license, registration, or insurance for road use, but always check local regulations. Internationally, requirements differ by country. For instance, the UK recently allowed scooters on public roads with strict regulations, while Japan requires registration and insurance.

Where are electric scooters permitted on the road in the US?

This summary is designed to offer a broad overview of whether scooters are permitted on roads in various states/cities. We recommend reading our article, `Understanding Electric Scooter Laws in the USA` for a more in-depth analysis of scooter laws. It’s also important to note that this information is provided at the state level, and rules can vary significantly from one town, city, or borough to another, so it’s crucial to verify the specifics locally.

State/City	Where Scooters Are Allowed	Restrictions
Alabama (Montgomery)	Public streets, right-of-ways, and bicycle paths	Prohibited on sidewalks and streets with speed limits of 50 mph or higher.
Arizona	Roads, bicycle paths, multi-use paths	Must stay close to the right-hand edge of the road when moving slower than traffic.
Arkansas	Public property (rules set by cities/towns)	State level: Must be 16+ years old; max speed 15 mph.
California	Roads with speed limits up to 25 mph, bike lanes	Allowed up to 35 mph if permitted by local authorities. Must ride close to the right-hand curb when traveling slower than traffic.
Colorado	Roadways	Use the right-hand lane when traveling slower than the flow of traffic.
Connecticut	Roads, bike lanes, bike paths	Stay close to the right side when moving slower than traffic, with exceptions (overtaking, turning left, avoiding hazards).
Delaware	Generally prohibited on public roads, highways, streets, sidewalks, or rights-of-way	Allowed if pushed across public ways, during special events with a permit.
Florida	Bicycle lanes, roads	Use bicycle lanes if available; ride close to the right side of the roadway when moving slower than traffic.
Georgia (Atlanta)	Streets (rightmost lane), bike lanes, shared use paths	Prohibited on sidewalks. Must follow traffic laws.
Hawaii	Highways, roadways, public areas designated for vehicle use	Operate in single file on roadways. Prohibited on sidewalks and pedestrian paths.
Idaho	Roadways, sidewalks, crosswalks (some areas)	Follow the flow of traffic. Must yield to pedestrians and provide an audible warning when overtaking.
Illinois	Roads, sidewalks, trails, public rights-of-way where bicycles are permitted	Speed limit of 35 mph on roads; prohibited on state highways.
Indiana	City streets, bike lanes, bikeways, shared-use paths	Prohibited on sidewalks (except when entering/exiting parked position). Not allowed on highways with a speed limit over 35 mph.
Iowa	Highways, bikeways, sidewalks	Follow bicycle laws unless otherwise specified.
Kansas	Roadways, bicycle lanes, multi-use paths, trails	Prohibited on interstate, federal, state highways, and public highways within city limits unless authorized by the city. Must use bicycle paths when available.
Kentucky	Highways, bicycle lanes and paths, shared streets, shared-use paths	Sidewalks generally prohibited except potentially for children or under local exceptions.
Louisiana	Sidewalks, bicycle paths, highways	Municipal authority may limit use on sidewalks; max speed on sidewalks 20 mph.
Maine	Roadways, paved shoulders, bicycle/multi-use paths	Municipalities can regulate operation locations on roadways.
Maryland	Roadways, bike lanes, shoulders	Prohibited on roadways with speed limits over 50 mph and expressways unless there’s an adjacent approved path.
Massachusetts	Public ways	Stay on the right side of the road. Must have working stop and turn signals.
Michigan (Lansing)	City streets, bike lanes, sidewalks (outside downtown area)	Prohibited on sidewalks within downtown area.
Minnesota	Roadways, bicycle paths	Not permitted on sidewalks except when accessing adjacent properties.
Mississippi	Bicycle paths, streets, sidewalks (if yield to pedestrians)	Prohibited on interstate highways and controlled access facilities.
Missouri	Public streets, highways	Prohibited on interstate highways and federal interstate highway system roads. Must have a valid driver’s license.
Nebraska (Lincoln)	Streets, designated bike lanes downtown	Prohibited on streets with speed limits exceeding 35 mph and multi-use paths.
Nevada	Roadways, bike lanes, paths, sidewalks (if local ordinances permit)	Max speed 15 mph. Must ride as close to the right side of the roadway as practical.
New Hampshire	Public highways, paths within city limits	Must have a city-issued license. Stay as close to the right-hand side of the highway as practicable.
New Jersey	Streets, highways, roadways, bicycle paths	Prohibited on trails for non-motorized traffic unless permitted.
New Mexico	Highways, bicycle lanes, bicycle paths	No additional restrictions mentioned.
New York	Streets and highways with speed limits of 30 mph or less	Sidewalks prohibited unless authorized by local law or ordinance.
Ohio	Public roads, bike lanes	Prohibited on sidewalks and streets with speed limits over 35 mph.
Oklahoma	Public roads, streets, alleys, bridges, sidewalks	Max speed 25 mph. Not allowed on roadways with posted speed limits over 25 mph.
Oregon	Highways with speed limits of 25 mph or less, bike lanes	E-scooters cannot exceed 24 mph by definition; limited to 15 mph; prohibited on sidewalks except when entering/exiting properties. Must use adjacent bike lanes/paths when available.
Pennsylvania	Private property only	Cannot be legally operated on public roadways due to equipment and inspection requirements.
South Carolina	Public streets	Prohibited on sidewalks and public streets where speed limit is 25 mph or greater.
South Dakota	Streets, bike paths, multi-use paths	Prohibited on sidewalks and highways with speed limits over 35 mph.
Tennessee	Streets, highways, bicycle lanes, shoulders, berms, paths	Prohibited on sidewalks unless authorized.
Texas	Streets, highways (speed limits 35 mph or less), bicycle paths, sidewalks	Must ride close to the right-hand curb when moving slower than traffic.
Utah	Roads, paths where bicycles are allowed	Prohibited in public parking structures, on property where skateboards are banned, on highways with 4+ lanes, and on roadways with speed limits over 25 mph.
Virginia	Highways, sidewalks, shared-use paths	Prohibited on interstate highways except on barrier-separated bicycle/pedestrian facilities. Must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks.
Washington	Roads, multipurpose trails, bicycle lanes	Prohibited on sidewalks and fully controlled limited access highways.
West Virginia	Streets, alleys (Charleston)	Prohibited on roadways with speed limits over 30 mph, sidewalks, and surfaces closed to bicycle traffic.
Wisconsin	Roadways, bicycle paths, sidewalks (unless prohibited by local regulations)	Must ride close to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway. Max speed 15 mph on bicycle paths. Must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks.
Wyoming	Streets, sidewalks (outside Central Business District), bikeways, Greenway system	Max speed 15 mph.
State/City	Where Scooters Are Allowed	Restrictions

Conclusion: Are electric scooters permitted on the road?

In conclusion, mostly Yes. Check your local restrictions. Ultimately, understanding where and how to ride electric scooter on the road legally and safely requires knowledge of local laws and an awareness of general safety practices. Familiarize yourself with the rules in your area to ensure you have a smooth, safe ride. Join local communities or forums for advice and shared experiences.

Whether navigating bike lanes, roads, or multi-use paths, always prioritize safety, follow the rules, and respect other road and path users. Happy scooting!