Oregon enacted Senate Bill 173 in the first half of 2001, which explicitly provides for both gas and electric scooters and bicycles. This means if we follow the rules, we are legit. My only issue is with that darn 15MPH maximum speed rule!  I have taken the liberty to re-write it in plain english, leaving out a lot of the extra verbiage that made it a bit difficult to wade through. If you want to read the original, click here.  Otherwise, enjoy my version.  Disclaimer: I’m not paying your $25 fine if you break the law, you hoodlum!

Note: “Pocket bikes” are never legal on Oregon streets.  Check out this guide for the legalities of pocket bikes and other miscellaneous motorized vehicles.

Oregon Senate Bill 173, an Act Relating to Motorized (Gas and Electric) Scooters and Bicycles 

SECTION 1. Section 2 is added to and amends the Oregon Vehicle Code.

SECTION 2. Definition: “Motor assisted scooter” means a vehicle that: 

(1)  Has no more than three wheels.
(2)  Has handlebars and a foot support or seat.
(3)  Can be propelled by motor or human propulsion
(4)  Goes no faster than 24 miles per hour on level ground.

(a) Has a gas engine 35 cc or less or
(b) Has an electric motor of not more than 1,000 watts. 

SECTION 3. Sections 4 to 17 are added to and amend ORS 814.

SECTION 4. Scooter Riders Rights and Duties are the Same as any Other Driver Except:

(1)  Those provisions that don’t make sense for scooters.
(2)  When otherwise specifically spelled out by law.

SECTION 5. Age and Speed Restrictions:16 Years Old and 15 MPH Max

(1) You are violating the law if

(a)  You are under 16 years old;
(b)  You are going faster than 15 miles per hour.

(2) These are Class D traffic violations.

SECTION 6. Use of Bike Lanes

(1) You must use bike lanes if they exist.
(2) That is unless local law prohibits scooters in the bike lane.
(3) Otherwise it is a Class D traffic violation.

SECTION 7. Scooters in State Parks 

(1) State Parks can disallow scooters if they want except for disabled riders.

SECTION 8. Limited Use When the Speed Limit is Greater than 25 MPH

 (1) You can’t use a scooter on a road when the speed limit is more than 25 
       MPH,

(2) Except:

(a) If you stay in the bicycle lane; or
(b) You are just crossing the road.

(3) Otherwise it is a Class D traffic violation.

SECTION 9. Stay Out of Traffic Lanes 

(1)  It’s against the law to ride in the road at less than normal traffic speeds unless you are as close to the right edge as possible.

(2)  Exceptions to (1) include:

(a)  Passing another scooter or vehicle going in the same direction.
(b)  Getting ready to make a left turn.
(c)  To avoid road hazards, or when the road is too narrow for the scooter
       and traffic to travel safely side by side.
(d)  The same goes for the left curb or edge when riding on one-way
       streets.
(e)  You can ride in tandem with one other scooter as long as they are
       both being operated within a single lane and don’t impede traffic.
(f)    When operating on a bicycle lane or bicycle path.

(3) Otherwise it is a Class D traffic violation.

SECTION 10. Hand Signals are Normally Required for all Turns and Stops 

(1) You Must Use Proper Hand Signals

(a)  You must signal at least 100 feet before executing a stop.
(b)  You must signal at least 100 feet before executing a turn.
(c)  If you have come to a stop, you must signal before you turn.

(2)  You do not have to signal continuously for a stop, turn or lane change if you
       need both hands to safely control the motor assisted scooter.

(3)  These are the same signals are those provided for other vehicles under Oregon law.

(4)  Violation is a Class D traffic violation. 

SECTION 11. Riding on Sidewalks is Prohibited; Courtious and Cautious Operation Around Pedestrians and Vehicles 

(1)    It is a violation to ride on sidewalks except to enter or leave adjacent
         property.  It is also a violation to:

(a)  Suddenly move into the path of people or other vehicles as to create a
       hazard.
(b)  Not give an audible warning before overtaking and passing a
       pedestrian or yield the right of way to pedestrians on a sidewalk.
(c)  Ride in a careless manner that endangers or could endanger any
       person or property.
(d)  Ride faster than an ordinary walk when approaching a crosswalk,
       approaching or entering a driveway or crossing a curb cut or
       pedestrian ramp and a motor vehicle is approaching the crosswalk,
       driveway, curb cut or pedestrian ramp.

(2)    Violations are a Class D traffic violation. 

SECTION 12.  Proper Use of Bicycle Paths 

(1)  You must give an audible warning before overtaking and passing a
       pedestrian, and yield the right of way to all pedestrians on the bicycle path
       or lane.

(2)  To do otherwise is a Class D traffic violation. 

SECTION 13.  No Riding in Pedestrian Crosswalks 

(1) If you use the crosswalk, you must walk your scooter/bicycle.

(2) This section does not apply to a disabled person.

(3) To do otherwise is a Class D traffic violation.

SECTION 14.  No Passengers Except the Rider 

(1)  No passengers except the operator are allowed.

(2)  To do otherwise is a Class D traffic violation. 

SECTION 15.  Cargo May Not Interfere with Proper Operation

(1)  An unlawful load is one that prevents the person from keeping at least one
       hand upon the handlebars and having full control at all times.

(2)  An unlawful load is a Class D traffic violation.

SECTION 16.  Operator Must Wear a Helmet 

(1)  You must wear protective headgear approved under ORS 815.052 on any
       public road or premises open to the public.

(2)  A person is exempt from wearing protective headgear if wearing the
       headgear would violate a religious belief or practice of the person.

(3)  First offenses may not be require a fine if the person proves they have an
       approved helmet.

(4)  Failure to wear protective headgear is a traffic violation punishable by a
       maximum fine of $25.

 SECTION 17.  It is Illegal to Knowingly Allow a Child Under 16 to Ride

(1)  It is illegal for a parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for
       a child under 16 years of age to authorize or knowingly permit that child to
       operate a motor assisted scooter.

(2)  This offense is a traffic violation punishable by a maximum fine of $25.

SECTION 18. Section 19 of this 2001 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 815. 

SECTION 19.  Lighting and/or Reflectors are Required When Riding at Night or in Low Visibility Conditions 

(1)  It is a violation to:

(a)  Knowingly permit a child under 16 years of age to operate a motor
       assisted scooter on any highway in violation of the requirements of
       this section; or
(b)  Ride on any highway during times of limited visibility without lighting
       equipment that meets the following requirements:

(A)  If the motor assisted scooter is equipped with lighting equipment:

1.     The lighting equipment must include a white light visible from a distance of
         at least 300 feet to the front and sides of the motor assisted scooter;

2.     The lighting equipment must have a red reflector or lighting device, or
         material of such size or characteristic, mounted to be visible from all
         distances up to 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower
         beams of headlights on a motor vehicle; and

3.     The lighting equipment must have a white or yellow reflector or lighting
         device, or material of such size or characteristic, mounted to be visible
         from all distances up to 200 feet to the front of the motor assisted scooter.

(B)  If the motor assisted scooter is not equipped with lighting equipment, the operator of the motor assisted scooter must wear:

1.     A white light mounted to be visible from all distances up to 300 feet to the
         front and sides of the motor assisted scooter;

2.     A red reflector or lighting device, or material of such size or characteristic,
       mounted to be visible from all distances up to 500 feet to the rear when
       directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlights on a motor vehicle; and

3.     A white or yellow reflector or lighting device, or material of such size or
       characteristic, mounted to be visible from all distances up to 200 feet to the
         front of the motor assisted scooter.

(3)  Nothing in this section prohibits the use of additional parts and accessories on any motor assisted scooter not inconsistent with this section. 

(4)  The offense described in this section, violation of motor assisted scooter equipment requirements, is a Class D traffic violation.

Revised 12/2007

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