ELECTRIC SKATEBOARDS
House Bill 5391 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. Curtis S. VanderWall
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 2-16-18
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5391 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to define and regulate the usage of electric skateboards.
Under the bill, electric skateboard would mean a wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding that is no more than 60 inches long and 18 inches wide, is designed to transport only one person at a time, has an electrical propulsion system with no more than 2,500 watts of power, and has a maximum speed on a paved level surface of not more than 25 miles per hour. An electric skateboard could be designed to be powered by human propulsion in addition to its electrical propulsion system.
The bill would specify that an electric skateboard is not a “motor vehicle” for purposes of the Vehicle Code.
Under the bill, a person riding or operating an electric skateboard upon a roadway would have the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle under the Code, much like bicycles and electric personal mobility devices (e.g., Segways) under current law. Several requirements that currently apply to one or the other of those devices would, under the bill, also apply to electric skateboards, including yielding to pedestrians on sidewalks, being able to come to a controlled stop, not being used to carry more than one person, and riding as near to the right side of a roadway as possible.
An electric skateboard would also have to be operated at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour and could not be operated on a highway or street with a speed limit of more than 25 miles per hour except to cross that highway or street.
The bill would allow local units of government to regulate the use of electric skateboards in some circumstances, including in historic districts or when a bicycle path is available. The Department of Natural Resources could regulate their use on DNR lands, and their use would be prohibited on Mackinac Island.
The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.
Proposed MCL 257.13b et al.
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 5391 would have no direct fiscal impact on the state or local governments.
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Cnossen
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.