SB 542 — An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in certificate of title and security interests, further providing for vehicles not requiring certificate of title; in registration of vehicles, further providing for vehicles exempt from registration; in rules of the road in general, further providing for prohibitions in specified places; in special vehicles and pedestrians, providing for electric low-speed scooters; in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for driving upon sidewalk; and, in powers of Department of Transportation and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of Department of Transportation and local authorities.

Bill Text

• Printer's No. 0606 View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill defines electric low-speed scooters, exempts them from title and registration requirements, establishes operational regulations, and allows municipalities to permit their use on sidewalks.

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 102

  "Electric low-speed scooter." A device weighing less than 100 pounds that: (1) has two or three wheels, a handlebar and a floorboard which can be stood upon while riding; (2) is solely powered by an electric motor or human power, or both; and (3) has a maximum speed, with or without human propulsion, of not more than 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface.

  Defines electric low-speed scooters and establishes their characteristics.

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 1102

  (13) An electric low-speed scooter.

  Exempts electric low-speed scooters from the requirement to obtain a certificate of title.

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 1302

  (24) An electric low-speed scooter.

  Exempts electric low-speed scooters from the requirement to register.

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 3353

  On a sidewalk except that a pedalcycle may be parked as provided in section [3509(b)(2)] 3509(a)(2). → On a sidewalk except that a pedalcycle may be parked as provided in section 3509(a)(2).

  Maintains current prohibition on parking on sidewalks but includes new provisions for scooters.

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 3515

  (a) General rule.--Every person operating an electric low-speed scooter shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the operator of a pedalcycle by this subchapter, except as to those provisions of this subchapter which by their nature can have no application. (b) Age and speed requirement.--No person under the age sufficient to operate an automobile shall operate an electric low-speed scooter, and no person shall operate an electric low-speed scooter at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour. (c) Lamps and reflectors.--Every electric low-speed scooter when operated on a sidewalk, sidewalk area or highway between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped on the front with a lamp which emits a beam of white light intended to illuminate the scooter operator's path and visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front, a red reflector facing to the rear which is visible at least 500 feet to the rear and a reflector on each side. (d) Electric low-speed scooters prohibited on freeways.--No person shall operate an electric low-speed scooter on a freeway. (e) Application of subchapter.--The provisions of this subchapter apply whenever an electric low-speed scooter is operated or parked in this Commonwealth, subject to the exceptions stated in subsection (a).

  Establishes specific rights, duties, equipment requirements, and operational restrictions for electric low-speed scooters.

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 3703

  (d) Electric low-speed scooters.--Unless prohibited by ordinance, a municipality shall permit the operation of an electric low-speed scooter on a sidewalk or sidewalk area. A municipality may impose such restrictions as may be necessary to protect the interests of pedestrians and others using the sidewalk or sidewalk area.

  Allows municipalities to permit electric low-speed scooters on sidewalks, subject to local regulations.

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 6109

  (25) Regulating the use of electric low-speed scooters consistent with the regulation of pedalcycles.

  Grants the Department of Transportation and local authorities the power to regulate electric low-speed scooters.

Action History

1. April 10, 2019

   PN 0606 Referred to TRANSPORTATION

Sponsors

• Daniel Laughlin · Primary
• Camera Bartolotta · Cosponsor
• Mensch · Cosponsor
• Christine M. Tartaglione · Cosponsor

Subjects