Article 7 - Operation of Electrically Motorized Boards

California Vehicle Code — §§ 21290-21296

Sections (6)

§ 21290

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.

(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.

§ 21291

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.

§ 21292

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.

§ 21293

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).

§ 21294

Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 302. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.

(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.

§ 21296

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 777, Sec. 3. (AB 604) Effective January 1, 2016.

(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).