ARTICLE 7. Operation of Electrically Motorized Boards [21290 - 21296]
( Article 7 added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. )
(a) For purposes of this article, “bikeway” is defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.
(b) For purposes of this article, an “electrically motorized board” is defined in Section 313.5.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.)
An electrically motorized board shall be operated only by a person who is 16 years of age or older.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.)
A person shall not operate an electrically motorized board upon a highway, bikeway, or any other public bicycle path, sidewalk, or trail, unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.)
(a) Every electrically motorized board operated upon a highway during darkness shall be equipped with all of the following:
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a lamp emitting a white light that, while the electrically motorized board is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the operator and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front of the electrically motorized board.
(2) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a red reflector on the rear that is visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
(3) Except as
provided in subdivision (d), a white or yellow reflector on each side that is visible from a distance of 200 feet from the sides of the electrically motorized board.
(b) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front of the electrically motorized board, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
(c) A red reflector, or reflectorizing material meeting the requirements of Section 25500, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, may be used in lieu of the reflector required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(d) A white or yellow reflector, or reflectorizing material meeting the requirements of
Section 25500, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 200 feet from the sides of the electrically motorized board, may be used in lieu of the reflector required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.)
(a) An electrically motorized board shall only operate upon a highway designated with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, unless the electrically motorized board is operated entirely within a designated Class II or Class IV bikeway.
(b) A person shall not operate an electrically motorized board upon a highway, bikeway, or any other public bicycle path, sidewalk, or trail, at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person shall not operate an electrically motorized board at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and the surface and width of the highway, bikeway, public
bicycle path, sidewalk, or trail, and in no event at a speed that endangers the safety of any person or property.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 302. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)
The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol shall submit a report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2021, to assist in determining the effect that the use of electrically motorized boards has on traffic safety. The report shall include detailed statewide traffic collision data involving electrically motorized boards, including property damage only, injury, and fatal traffic collisions. The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2025.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
(a) It is unlawful for a person to operate an electrically motorized board upon a highway while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug.
(b) A person arrested for a violation of this section may request to have a chemical test made of his or her blood or breath for the purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content of that person’s blood pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 23612, and, if so requested, the arresting officer shall have the test performed.
(c) A conviction for a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars
($250).
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.)