Over the past decade, motorized and electric scooters have been growing in popularity and the boom didn’t miss California. As the scooter craze began, helmets were a strict requirement for all riders, but recently, helmets laws have been reversed for many scooter travelers.
Helmets and California Scooter Rides
The latest scooter vehicle code only requires helmets for California riders under the age of 18. As it turns out, that condition only applies to a small portion of motorized scooter riders since riders also must have a driver’s license to ride. Younger riders aren’t allowed on motorized mopeds on public roads.
The helmet law was changed in 2019. However, rideshare e-scooter companies do still suggest that all riders protect themselves with a helmet.
Vehicle Codes Governing Scooter Rides in California
Other guidelines for scooter riders are provided by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They include a definition of what’s considered a scooter. If your scooter exceeds these specifications, your machine may fall under a different classification and under different laws.
- A motorized scooter has 2 wheels, a motor, handlebars, and a floorboard that you can stand on while riding it.
- You can drive a motorized scooter with any class driver’s license.
- You can only drive motorized scooters on a bicycle path, trail, or bikeway, not on a sidewalk.
- A scooter cannot exceed 15 mph.
- You do not need to register motorized scooters.
Your local municipality, city, or county may have stricter guidelines on scooters. It’s a good idea to check local vehicle codes before taking a ride.
Contact a California Scooter Accident Lawyer After an Accident
California drivers can be careless, even when someone as vulnerable as a cyclist or scooter rider is nearby. If you or a loved one are the victims of a mistake by a driver, don’t leave the amount of support you should receive up to an insurance company.
Allow a skilled personal injury lawyer to make sure every medical cost you face is completely taken care of by the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, makes sure victims know their rights and he makes sure those rights are observed by insurance adjusters. Contact Maison Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation to find out about all the benefits available to you.
