BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 604
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Date of Hearing: April 27, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Jim Frazier, Chair
AB 604
(Olsen) - As Amended April 20, 2015
SUBJECT: Electrically motorized skateboards
SUMMARY: Defines "electrically motorized skateboard" and
authorizes cities and counties to regulate their use.
Specifically, this bill:
1)Defines "electrically motorized skateboard" as any
four-wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood
upon when riding that is not greater than 60 inches deep and
18 inches wide, is designed to transport only one person, and
has an electric propulsion system averaging less than 1,000
watts, the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a
propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 20
miles per hour.
2)Specifies that an electrically motorized skateboard may be
designed to also be powered by human propulsion.
3)Specifies that an electrically motorized skateboard is not a
motorized skateboard for purposes of an existing ban on
motorized skateboards on sidewalks, roadways, highways,
bikeways, bicycle paths, bike trails, equestrian trails,
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hiking trails, and recreational trails.
4)Provides that an electrically motorized skateboard is not an
electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorcycle, a
motor-driven cycle, a motorized bicycle or moped, or a
motorized scooter.
5)Authorizes local authority to adopt rules and regulations by
ordinance or resolution prohibiting or restricting persons
from riding or propelling electrically motorized skateboards
on highways, sidewalks, or roadways.
6)Authorizes a transit development board to adopt ordinances,
rules, or regulations to restrict, or specify the conditions
for, the use of electrically motorized skateboards on property
under the control of, or any portion of property used by, the
board.
7)Authorizes public agencies, including, but not limited to, the
Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of
the California State University, to adopt rules or regulations
to restrict, or specify the conditions for, the use of
electrically motorized skateboards on public property under
the jurisdiction of that agency.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Prohibits motorized skateboards on sidewalks, roadways,
highways, bikeways, bicycle paths, trails, equestrian trails,
hiking trails, and recreational trails.
2)Authorizes local authorities to adopt rules and regulations by
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ordinance or resolution prohibiting or restricting persons
from riding skateboards on highways, sidewalks, or roadways.
3)Authorizes a transit development board to adopt ordinances,
rules, or regulations to restrict, or specify the conditions
for, the use of bicycles, motorized bicycles, skateboards, and
roller skates on property under the control of, or any portion
of property used by, the board.
4)Authorizes public agencies, including, but not limited to, the
Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of
the California State University, to adopt rules or regulations
to restrict, or specify the conditions for, the use of
bicycles, motorized bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates
on public property under the jurisdiction of that agency.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: Current law prohibits the use of motorized
skateboards in California. This prohibition has been in place
since 1977 and came about in response to skateboards that were
being equipped with loud, polluting gas motors and that had no
brakes or other safety features. The motorized skateboard of the
21st century is a very different product. The boards are
difficult to distinguish from regular skateboards while in use,
are silent and produce no emissions, and include brakes.
AB 604 defines an electrically motorized skateboard and
authorizes local governments and other specified entities, such
as universities on their campuses, to regulate their use.
Effectively, the bill treats electrically motorized skateboards
the same way that current law treats skateboards. According to
the author, the current prohibition on motorized skateboards
"directly affects manufacturers that build this product right
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here in California. It is unacceptable that an environmentally
conscious and safe product, assembled and designed in our state,
cannot be legally operated under existing law."
California has established bold policy goals around reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and developing a more multi-modal
transportation network so that people do not have to be reliant
on cars. However, outdated laws sometimes stand in the way of
tools that could help achieve those goals, even in small ways.
AB 604 recognizes that innovations in motorized skateboards have
moved their design well beyond the product that led to the
state's ban and provides a framework for authorizing their use
subject to local discretion.
Proposed amendment: The committee may wish to consider asking
the author to amend AB 604 to prohibit the use of an
electrically motorized skateboard by anyone under 16. Younger
children may not have the level of maturity or judgment
necessary to safely operate a motorized device and are likely to
be less familiar with the rules of the road.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
AB 604
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California Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians
Analysis Prepared by:Anya Lawler / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093