1- Introduction:

Riders new in the PEV(personal electric vehicle) community have one common question Are electric scooters legal in the USA? What are the local e-scooter rules and regulations? The answer mainly depends on each state’s specific rules regarding safety equipment, local area laws, and regulations. At moderate speeds, 30-mph electric scooters are becoming an eco-friendly and sustainable solution because of their convenience and environmental advantages. Talking about their laws, in general, electric scooters are legal in most states, but some rules vary in different states, setting their benchmarks. 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there is an increase of 21% in injuries associated with micromobilities from 2021-2022. This trend has increased to 23% with a continuous trend since 2017. 

So, it is mandatory to follow rules and regulations to ensure your safety even if they are not set in your local areas. This guide enables you to understand the local laws, regulations, and safety equipment for 30-mph e-scooters in major states. 

If you want to know the 30-mph e-scooters in-depth, you can read this article, The Ultimate Guide To Buying a 30-Mph E-scooter.

2- Key Considerations When Riding a 30-mph Electric Scooter

When riding electric scooters, it’s not only about where they are legal but also about obeying a variety of rules and guidelines for your safety. Below are several key factors to keep in mind before hopping on your e-scooter:

1- Speed Limits and Riding Areas

Maximum Speed Regulations: Each state has particularly set the speed limits for e-scooters, often ranging between 15-30 mph. Like Wide Wheel Pro, Zero 9, and Mantis 8 dual motor scooters are an ideal choice for commuting at this speed. 

Permitted Roads: Riders can ride on almost 30-mph e-scooters on the streets, but riding on busy roads and highways is not permissible in most states. 

Sidewalk Use: Many states and cities prohibit scooters on sidewalks to protect pedestrians, but some allow them in areas with low pedestrian traffic.

As per the US Consumer Product Safety Commission report, there were happened 111 e-scooter rider deaths between 2021 and 2022. This is all because of ignoring the set of regulations in their respective areas. 

2- Helmet and Age Requirements

Use of Helmet: Many states require helmets for riders under a certain age, usually 18, while some states recommend helmets for all riders.

The use of helmets reduces the risks of death by almost 42% and almost 69% of head injuries, as per the safety research report.

Age Restrictions: Most states impose a minimum age for e-scooter riders, often set at 16 or 18 years old.

3- Federal Guidelines for E-Scooters

Use on Federal Land: When riding on federally governed land, such as national parks, additional regulations may apply that align with broader transportation or safety rules.

Crossing State Lines: If you plan to cross state lines on an e-scooter, make sure to check both states’ regulations as they might differ in terms of speed limits, road access, and helmet requirements.

4- Safety and Additional Regulations

Battery Safety: Since 30-mph e-scooters like Mantis X Plus and Mantis 10 Lite often use lithium-ion batteries, riders should follow safety guidelines like not overcharging and storing batteries properly to prevent fire hazards. In 2021, almost 104  riders embraced death because of overcharging the lithium-ion batteries from e-scooters.

Parking Guidelines: Many cities require riders to park scooters in designated areas or paths to avoid blocking sidewalks and entrances. As per the research, among five states, almost 99 percent of e-scooter riders do not create obstacles for pedestrian access after properly parking.

Rental Services: For users of shared e-scooter services, certain areas may have special regulations, such as speed limits for first-time users or requirements for parking in specific zones.

3- State-by-State Regulations for Electric Scooters

Electric scooter laws differ widely across the U.S., with each state setting its own rules for riders. Below is a summary of the basic regulations across key states:

1- New York

In New York, electric scooters are legal, but with several restrictions:

Riding Pathway: Riders can ride on 30-mph electric scooters or speed less than 30 mph on streets. 

Helmet requirement: Riders under 18 years old need to wear helmets.

Sidewalks: Riding on sidewalks is not permissible.

Additional rule: Each city can impose its own local rules regarding e-scooters.

2- California

California has one of the most permissive sets of rules for electric scooters:

Riding Pathway: Riders can ride a 25-mph e-scooter or less in bike lanes and on streets.  

Helmet requirement: Riders under 18 must wear helmets in California.

Sidewalks: It is not permissible to ride on sidewalks.  

Additional rule: While parking your e-scooter, make sure you are not blocking the pedestrians. 

3- Texas

Electric scooters are legal in Texas but regulated more loosely than in some other states:

Riding Pathway: It is permissible to ride on streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

Speed limit: There is no statewide speed limit for scooters, but local ordinances may impose restrictions.

Helmet requirement: Helmets are not mandatory for any age of riders, but riders should wear them for safe and legal riding. 

Sidewalks: Riding on sidewalks is generally allowed unless restricted by local laws.

Additional rule: Scooter companies must abide by city-specific rules regarding parking and usage.

4- Florida

Florida has recently clarified its stance on electric scooters:

Riding Pathway: E-scooters can be used in bike lanes and on streets with a speed limit of 30 mph or less.

Helmet requirement: Only riders under 16 must wear helmets.

Sidewalks: Riding on sidewalks is prohibited in most places.

Additional rule: Local governments have the authority to regulate where e-scooters can be rented.

5- Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. has embraced the use of electric scooters with a regulated scooter share program:

Riding Pathway: E-scooters are allowed on streets and in bike lanes but not on sidewalks in the downtown area.

Speed limit: The speed limit for scooters is set at 10 MPH.

Helmet requirement: Helmets are recommended but not required.

Sidewalks: Sidewalk use is prohibited in central areas but allowed in residential neighborhoods. 

Note: Please note that a set of rules and regulations may change from time to time. It is necessary to confirm the current rules of e-scooters by contacting your area’s transportation authorities. 

4- Wrapping Up: Are Electric Scooters Legal in USA?

In summary, the legality of electric scooters largely depends on the state and city in which you live. While most states allow them on streets with lower speed limits, such as 30 MPH, many forbid their use on highways and sidewalks. States like New York, California, Texas, and Florida have set specific speed limits, helmet requirements, and restrictions on sidewalk usage. It is mandatory to understand the local and state regulations to ensure you ride safely and legally. By following these rules, you can enjoy the benefits of electric scooters while reducing legal risks. For knowing the e-scooters with 30-mph speed, you can explore our e-scooter collection at our store.