Motorized Scooters And The Law

A Motorized Scooter…

Is designed to be operated on the ground, and has no more than three wheels
Has handlebars, a foot support, and/or seat for the operator
Is set in motion by either a gas motor or electric motor
If the power source is a gas motor, then it cannot be more than 35 cc. If the power source is an electric motor, it cannot have more than 1000 watts of power

Who can legally operate a motor scooter…

Anyone 16 years of age and older may operate a motorized scooter. If you’re under 16, then you can be cited and your parents can be cited too

Operators must obey all applicable traffic laws…

Persons operating motorized scooters are subject to the same Oregon traffic laws as other vehicles operating on a highway. The same penalties apply as if the operator were driving a car

Required equipment for riding and / or outfitting a scooter…

All riders must wear an ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) approved helmet
Have a white light visible at night to the front and side
Have a red reflector/light visible at night for 500 feet

Lawful way to operate a scooter…

A person operating a motorized scooter cannot exceed 15 miles per hour
Cannot travel on a highway with a designated speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour, unless there is a designated bicycle lane
Must follow the flow of traffic
Must use a bike lane when it is provided
Ride as close as possible to the right curb, unless traveling in a designated bicycle lane
Cannot ride in a crosswalk. The operator must walk the scooter when crossing the street in a crosswalk (unless disabled)
Cannot ride on the sidewalk (unless disabled)
Cannot ride in any Troutdale City Park or Oregon State Park (unless disabled)

Required to signal…

As if you were driving a car, or riding a bicycle
Operators must signal for every turn

Riders and loads on a motorized scooter…

Only one person on a scooter
An operator can carry a load as long as the operator has one hand on the handlebar and is in control of the scooter at all times

Operation of a motorized scooter in a bike lane or bike path...

Must give an audible signal when passing or overtaking a pedestrian
Must yield the right of way to pedestrians

Parents may also be cited for allowing their child to operate a motorized scooter…

814.536 Endangering motor assisted scooter operator…A person commits the offense of endangering a motor assisted scooter operator if the person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child under 16 years of age and authorizes or knowing permits the child to operate a motor assisted scooter in violating of ORS 814.512 (1)(e).

Applicable ORS laws:
801.348, 814.510, 814.512, 814.514, 814.516, 814.518, 814.520, 814.522, 814.524, 814.526, 814.528, 814.530, 814.532, 814.534, 814.536, 815.283 and any other ORS that is applicable to a vehicle.

For additional information or clarification on any of the laws mentioned, these can be accessed via the Internet at www.leg.state.or.us/ors/