Arizona Senate Bill 1398 (SB1398) was passed on April 22, 2019 and set new, statewide definitions for small scooters. With the burgeoning popularity of electric scooter purchases and rentals, legislators wanted to established unified Arizona scooter laws in order to avoid neighboring municipalities from establishing conflicting rules.
SB 1398 establishes definitions for two types of scooters — “electric miniature scooter” and “electric standup scooter.” The new Arizona scooter laws use the following criteria:
Electric Miniature Scooter
- Weighs less than 30 pounds
- Has two or three wheels
- Has handlebars
- Has a floorboard on which a person may stand while riding
- Is powered by an electric motor or human power, or both
- Has a maximum speed that does not exceed 10 miles per hour, with or without human propulsion, on a paved surface
Electric Standup Scooter
- Weighs less than 75 pounds
- Has two or three wheels
- Has handlebars
- Has a floorboard on which a person may stand while riding
- Is powered by an electric motor or human power, or both
- Has a maximum speed that does not exceed 20 miles per hour, with or without human propulsion, on a paved surface
- Does not include an electric miniature scooter
The new Arizona scooter laws give riders of the scooters listed above the same rights and responsibilities as bicycle riders, unless otherwise regulated by a local municipality. Scooters faster and more powerful than the ones defined above “must have a unique identification that consists of letters or numbers, or both, and that is visible from a distance of at least five feet.”
The rules establish clear guidelines that individual towns can base their own local laws on. SB1398 states that, “A local authority may consider the environmental benefits and traffic benefits of electric bicycles, electric miniature scooters and electric standup scooters when regulating.” This allows some municipalities to be more strict or lenient with how they govern electric scooters, without conflicting with neighboring municipalities.
Please Use Caution While Riding Electric Scooters
The attorneys at Lerner and Rowe are pleased that Arizona has provided more clarity on electric scooters and how riders are treated. The new Arizona scooter laws provide concise definitions that will help scooter riders and everyone that shares the road with them. Having said that, we urge you to be cautious any time you’re on an electric scooter. Just because you drive safely and obey the rules of the road doesn’t mean that everyone around you does.
If you’ve been injured in an electric scooter accident, please contact Lerner and Rowe immediately. Our team will carefully and compassionately listen to your situation, and fight hard in order to get you the largest settlement possible. You can stop by our office for a free consultation Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We’re also available 24/7 by phone at 602-977-1900 or online through our LiveChat and contact form. Kindly reach out today so that we may get started on your case.