Section 63-3-1315 - Electric bicycles(1) Except as specifically provided otherwise, an electric bicycle or an operator of an electric bicycle shall be afforded all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all of the duties, of a bicycle or the rider of a bicycle. An electric bicycle is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle.(2) An electric bicycle or a person operating an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility, driver's licenses, registration, certificates of title, off-road vehicles, dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and license plates. An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle.(3) On and after January 1, 2022, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle, and shall be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.(4) A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric bicycle, unless the label indicating the classification required in subsection (3) of this section is replaced after modification.(5) An electric bicycle shall comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission ( 16 C.F.R. part 1512 ).(6) An electric bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the rider stops pedaling or when the brakes are applied.(7) An electric bicycle may be ridden in places where bicycles are permitted, including but not limited to, streets, highways, roadways, bicycle lanes, and bicycle or multi-use paths. Following notice and a public hearing, a municipality, local authority or state agency having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path may prohibit the operation of a class 1 electric bicycle or class 2 electric bicycle on that path, if it finds that such a restriction is needed for safety reasons or compliance with other laws or legal obligations. A municipality, local authority or state agency having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path may prohibit the operation of a class 3 electric bicycle on that path.
This subsection (7) shall not apply to a trail that is specifically designated as nonmotorized and that has a natural surface tread that is made by clearing and grading the native soil with no added surfacing materials. A municipality, local authority or state agency having jurisdiction over a trail described in this subsection may regulate the use of an electric bicycle on that trail.
(8) No person under the age of sixteen (16) may operate a class 3 electric bicycle. A person under the age of sixteen (16) may ride as a passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers.(9) All class 3 electric bicycles must be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed the bicycle is traveling in miles per hour.Added by Laws, 2021, ch. 355, HB 1195,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021.