Motor Scooter

Question

Ricardo asked: I live in Palm Beach County. Thinking of buying this e-bike, the Jetson Bolt: https://ridejetson.com/products/bolt-electric-bike
Is this legal in Palm Beach County? It lies somewhere in-between the definitions of bicycle, minibike, and moped. It has max speed of 16mph, 250w motor, does not have pedals, is powered exclusively by the electric motor. It would be great if I could ride this in the bike-lanes, but I don’t want to buy an e-bike if they’re not street-legal in Florida.

Answer

Your vehicle is not an ebike satisfying the definition of bicycle since it cannot be operated with a combination of human and electric assist motor power.

s. 316.003Definitions

(4) Bicycle – Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride ….

It cannot be registered as a moped since it does not have pedals.

(40) Moped –  Any vehicle with pedals to permit propulsion by human power ….

See this post.

2 Comments on “Motor Scooter

  1. It looks like the new bill HB453 that was signed into law by Gov. DeSantis on 6/18/2019 provides a definition of motorized scooter that this vehicle now falls under:

    s. 316.003 – Definitions

    (45) MOTORIZED SCOOTER.—Any vehicle or micromobility device that is powered by a motor with or without a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, which is designed to travel on not more than three wheels, and which is not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground.

    It also grants motorized scooters the same rights and access of a bicycle, which would include riding in bicycle lanes:

    316.2128 – Micromobility devices, motorized scooters, and miniature motorcycles; requirements

    (1) The operator of a motorized scooter or micromobility device has all of the rights and duties applicable to the rider of a bicycle under s.316.2065, except the duties imposed by s.316.2065(2), (3)(b), and (3)(c), which by their nature do not apply.

  2. Question in regards to the motorized bicycle… I have read the posts where it has been determined that the Segway ninebot is not considered legal on the street or sidewalk since it is not self balancing. My question is why would this not be considered a motorized bicycle? In order to start this Segway the individual must kick the ground in order to start propelling the vessel (hence human power) and in theory if someone really wanted a workout they could keep kicking. However once they have started kicking then you use the little buttons to propel you forward (electric power). Additionally these have brakes over the back wheel therefore it could also be stopped by human power or via the brake button which is electric power. I am living in an area where this would be wonderful and about to go to law school and would consider selling my car to save money in law school.

    Side question: if city statues can’t override state statutes and this specific scooter is this exact ones in Miami and they are “illegal” in FL then how is Miami able to circumvent the law?

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