Electric Micromobility Devices
Electric micromobility, or e-micromobility, refers to any small mobility device that can travel up to 30 miles per hour and is powered either fully, or partially, by an electric motor. This includes electric bikes (e-bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters), electric skateboards (e-skateboards), electric unicycles, hoverboards (self-balancing scooters) and motor assisted scooters. In the last decade, the popularity of these devices has grown dramatically and they have become an important component of active transportation.
Benefits of Micromobility
E-micromobility can offer numerous benefits to individuals and communities by:
Oregon Statewide Electric Micromobility Device Laws
The State of Oregon provides basic guidance for numerous small mobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters, though due to quickly evolving technologies, guidance is limited and evolving at both the federal and State level. The City of Corvallis leans on Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon (ODOT) Vehicle Codes for laws related to electric mobility devices (see matrix below). At this time, the City of Corvallis does not have any specific guidelines that add to, or differ from, laws already developed by the State of Oregon/ODOT.
State of Oregon Moped, Motorized Scooter and Pocket Bike Guide
Three Class Electric Bicycle Structure
Electric bikes come in different three different “classes”, or models, that provide varying levels of performance:
CLASS 1: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour.
CLASS 2: Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated motor that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour.
CLASS 3: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 28 miles per hour.
Electric Bikes/Scooters Basic Rules
Maximum Allowed Speed: 20 miles per hour for e-bikes (Class 1 & 2) and 15 miles per hour for e-scooters.
Minimum Age to Ride: 16 years old (both e-bikes and e-scooters).
Helmet Requirement: Helmets are not required for e-bikes, but are required for e-scooters.
Where Allowed: E-bikes and e-scooters are not allowed on sidewalks, but are allowed in bike lanes and on shared use paths.
Shared Use Path Etiquette
- Slow down to 10-12 miles per hour when other path users are present
- Always yield to pedestrians
- Keep right, pass on the left
- Give warning when passing
