BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Senator Jim Beall, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 604 Hearing Date: 6/16/2015
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|Author: |Olsen |
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|Version: |4/20/2015 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant|Randy Chinn |
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SUBJECT: Electrically motorized skateboards
DIGEST: This bill allows electrically motorized skateboards to
be operated on sidewalks, roads and bike paths unless prohibited
by a local government.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Prohibits the use of motorized skateboards on any sidewalk,
roadway, bikepath, or trail.
2)Requires helmets for persons under 18 when operating a
bicycle, non-motorized scooter, roller skates, or
non-motorized skateboard.
This bill:
1)Creates a new type of vehicle known as an "electrically
motorized skateboard," which is a four-wheeled device that is
1) designed to be stood upon, 2) not longer than five feet, 3)
not wider than 18 inches, 4) designed to transport only one
person, and 5) is equipped with an electric propulsion system
of less than 1,000 watts (i.e., about 1.34 horsepower) with a
maximum speed of 20 miles per hour on a level paved surface.
2)Exempts electrically motorized skateboards from the
prohibition on the use of motorized skateboards on sidewalks,
AB 604 (Olsen) Page 2 of ?
roads, bike paths, equestrian trails, or recreational trails.
3)Authorizes local governments and other public agencies to
establish regulations prohibiting or restricting the use of
electrically motorized skateboards.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. The author believes that the current prohibition on
motorized skateboards is archaic, having been established in
1977 and targeted at skateboards with dirty, noisy gas motors.
Newer electric-powered skateboards are cleaner and quieter, and
provide an alternative, clean mode of transportation.
What are they? Electrically motorized skateboards are
relatively new devices. Boosted, Inc. and Inboard Sports, two
of the supporters of this bill, make several models costing in
the range of $1,000 to $1,500, with a range of 7 to 24 miles,
and weighing 13 to 18 pounds. (It should be noted that some of
their offerings would not qualify as electrically motorized
skateboards under this bill as they are too powerful.) Other
manufacturers make less expensive models with lesser
capabilities. Some of these models have brakes.
More choice. Providing Californians with choices in their modes
for transportation is one of the keys to meeting our greenhouse
gas reduction goals. This is particularly helpful in leveraging
the use of transit, as these other transportation modes can help
people cover the parts of their trips which the transit services
do not.
Safety first. California law seeks to ensure the safety of both
the user of the vehicle and the public at large. The fun and
convenience of riding an electrically motorized skateboard must
be tempered against the potential injury to others from an
accidental collision at a speed faster than that at which most
adults can run. These devices may also be more prone than
bicycles to throw their operator. When bicycles are braked hard
the rider can hold onto the handlebars to stay upright. There
is no such support for a skateboard, so hard braking will throw
the rider. (Some electric skateboards do not have brakes, which
raises other safety issues.) Also, skateboards have much
smaller wheels than bicycles, making them less able to smoothly
navigate ruts, cracks, joints, twigs, and stones in the road.
AB 604 (Olsen) Page 3 of ?
Under this bill, local governments have the authority to
regulate the use of electrically motorized skateboards, and so
can decide whether and where these devices can be used. But
does the state have an interest in requiring the use of helmets?
As described above, helmets are required for persons under 18
who operated non-motorized skateboards. It should be noted that
in the videos and photos used on the websites of the major
electrically motorized skateboard manufacturers, all operators
wear helmets. The author and committee may wish to consider
adding this requirement for persons under 18.
A second consideration is whether there should be a minimum age
requirement. While kids will undoubtedly be far more skilled
operators of these devices than their parents, will those kids
have the judgement and knowledge of the traffic rules to operate
these fast-moving devices in ways which neither endanger
themselves nor others? The author and committee may wish to
consider establishing a minimum age requirement. By way of
comparison, motorized bicycles and motorized scooters may only
be used by persons 16 and older. Segways and bicycles have no
minimum age requirement.
Finally, almost all vehicle operators, including bicycle riders,
are prohibited from operating their vehicle while under the
influence of drugs or alcohol. The author and committee may
wish to consider adding such a provision to the operators of
these vehicles.
Assembly votes:
Floor: 61-8
Appr: 17-0
Trans: 11-3
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday,
June 10, 2015.)
SUPPORT:
AB 604 (Olsen) Page 4 of ?
Boosted, Inc.
Inboard Sports
Five individuals
OPPOSITION:
American College of Emergency Physicians
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