Section § 21290

Explanation

This section clarifies definitions relevant to bicycle and motorized board paths. It states that a 'bikeway' is defined according to another part of the state's streets and highways law. It also specifies that an 'electrically motorized board' is defined in a separate section of the law.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 21290(a) For purposes of this article, “bikeway” is defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 21290(b) For purposes of this article, an “electrically motorized board” is defined in Section 313.5.

Section § 21291

Explanation

If you want to ride an electrically motorized board, you must be at least 16 years old.

An electrically motorized board shall be operated only by a person who is 16 years of age or older.

Section § 21292

Explanation

If you're riding an electrically motorized board on public roads, bike paths, sidewalks, or trails, you must wear a bike helmet that fits well and is fastened correctly, following the standards in Section 21212.

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.

Section § 21293

Explanation

If you're using an electrically motorized board on a highway at night, you need to have certain lights and reflectors. You must have a white light that lights up the road ahead and can be seen from 300 feet away, a red reflector at the back visible from 500 feet, and white or yellow reflectors on each side visible from 200 feet. Instead, you can wear a light or reflector that meets these visibility requirements.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 21293(a) Every electrically motorized board operated upon a highway during darkness shall be equipped with all of the following:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 21293(a)(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21293(a)(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21293(a)(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21293(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21293(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21293(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).

Section § 21294

Explanation

If you're riding an electric skateboard, it can only go on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or lower, unless you're in a Class II or IV bike lane.

Don't ride faster than 15 mph on any road, bike path, sidewalk, or trail with your electric skateboard. Also, always keep your speed safe, considering things like weather, traffic, and the area's surface.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 21294(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21294(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21294(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.

Section § 21296

Explanation

This law makes it illegal to ride an electrically motorized board on the highway if you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you're arrested for violating this, you have the right to request a test to check your blood or breath for alcohol or drugs. If you're found guilty, you could be fined up to $250.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 21296(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21296(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)CA Vehicle Code § 21296(c) A conviction for a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).