Are Electric Skateboards Legal Or Not? | In 2024 |
Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by BoardsRiding
When it is used, electric skateboards are fantastic. Therefore, if you were to consider purchasing, your first concern would be are electric skateboards legal. The location, the board’s top speed, and the rider’s safety gear are frequently impacted by whether an e-board is allowed to be used.
The answer is also influenced by the country you’re in. The laws are still being established because this topic is new. Obviously, the regulations governing electric skateboards vary depending on the nation. You should be aware of any applicable local laws before purchasing or building your board.
Are Electric Skateboards Legal?
While purchasing an electric skateboard, this question comes to everyone’s mind: are electric skateboards legal? Depending on the laws and restrictions in your nation or region, an electric skateboard might or might not be legal. This also depends on the terrain, the skateboard’s speed, and whether you’re wearing safety gear. Electric skateboard laws and regulations vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another.
Moreover, different states highlight various requirements for electric skateboards to classify them as permitted or prohibited for use on public streets. Because the market for these riding possibilities is still relatively new. However, many nations still need comprehensive electric skateboard regulations. Their legitimacy has become much more questionable as a result.
Whenever an electric skateboard meets specific requirements, riders are permitted to use it on city streets in other nations, along with some US states.
Also Read This: The Best Mini Electric Skateboards
Legality Determinant Factors
The following elements evaluate the legality:
- Where you use an electric board.
- The skateboard’s speed
- Does the rider have the necessary protective clothing on?
Legality Table For Different Countries
The following table shows whether E-Skateboards are legal or not in different countries/regions:
| Country/Area | Legal or Not |
| United States – California | Yes |
| United States – Michigan | Yes |
| United States – Florida | Yes |
| Canada | Grey area |
| Australia | Yes |
| Singapore | Yes |
| Austria | Yes |
| Belgium | Yes |
| Croatia | Yes |
| Denmark | Yes |
| Finland | Yes |
| France | Yes |
| Germany | No |
| Greece | Grey area |
| Ireland | No |
| Italy | Yes |
| Lithuania | Yes |
| Netherlands | No |
| Norway | Yes |
| Poland | Not Sure |
| Portugal | Yes |
| Spain | Yes |
| Sweden | Yes |
| Switzerland | No |
| United Kingdom | No |
While it is often against the law to use an electric skateboard on a public road, you’re permitted to use one in a private place. You should always ride with a helmet and other safety gear on.
1:California
Electric skateboards are permitted on public cycling paths, such as roadways, in accordance with California law AB-604, section three, article seven, as long as the rider (who must be at least 16 years old) is wearing a helmet and the equipment is configured accordingly.
The most common type of skateboard in America might be the e-board, although not all states have the same regulations for them. Riders in California have access to some of the most progressive rules available.
A headlight and reflectors are required by California law for an electric skateboard to be properly mounted. It must be noted that a wheeled device with a propulsion system of less than 1000 watts and a top speed of 20 miles per hour is regarded as an electric motorised board under California law. The width is limited to 18 inches, and the maximum length is 60 inches.
2: Michigan
Recent laws approved by the Michigan House of Representatives should permit electric skateboards to use the same roadways as vehicles and bicycles. The law has a provision limiting the top speed of electric skateboards to 25 mph. Before it becomes legislation, the proposal still needs to be passed by the Senate.
3: Canada
Similarly to the United States, it doesn’t seem that Canada has any regulations that prohibit or regulate the use of electric skateboards on a national level. It is indeed up to each province to decide how e-boards should be governed. Furthermore, each municipality is permitted to adopt additional rules for their use, exactly like in the US and the UK.
They’re not insured as they’re not compliant with the required safety requirements for use on roads, according to the province of British Columbia. The lack of consistent enforcement of that regulation appears to be a problem in every location that forbids the use of electric skateboards. As stated by a police officer from Vancouver, they don’t issue tickets to those who use them unless they’re acting carelessly and threatening the public.
Many riders attempt to circumvent this by using the bicycle lanes to ride their boards, even though this is illegal.It appears that there’re no explicit laws governing electric skateboards in the majority of Canadian provinces. Check your local rules about Solowheels or hoverboards if you’re unsure whether using one is permitted. You and I both realize that these’re completely different gadgets.
However, in locations lacking e-board laws, they’re frequently grouped together since they perform comparable functions and serve related ends. One electric skateboard won’t be considered a motor vehicle in Canada, making it unaffordable and impossible to use on public roads.
Strangely, several locations classify them as “motorized vehicles,” making their use on sidewalks prohibited as well. The legal distinction between “motorized vehicle” and “motor vehicle” is hazy, which is confusing.
Therefore, this distinction is made at the municipal level rather than at the provincial level.
Each local government is allowed to determine whether or not it will permit electric skateboards on its sidewalks. Others may be comfortable with it, but Toronto doesn’t. You may want to get in touch with your local government since such information is not always readily available online.
4: Australia
Electric skateboards are allowed on Australian roads with relatively few restrictions. Wheeled recreational devices is how they describe these cars. What is further surprising is that you aren’t regarded as a rider while riding electric skateboards in Australia. However, you will be treated as a pedestrian under Australian traffic laws.
Isn’t it just that fascinating? E-skateboards are not permitted on roads with median strips or single-lane roadways with more than one unmarked lane when the posted speed limit is 50 mph or higher.
5: Singapore
Singapore is another developed country that utilizes e-skates. Users of electric skateboards in Singapore are permitted to use their boards on a bicycle and pedestrian lanes, but they need to be cautious of their speed. The authorized top speed for riders on footpaths is 15 km/h. You can raise the bike lane speed limit to 25 km/h.
You must avoid using the roads in Singapore because it is illegal to use an electric skateboard on them. However, you must make sure that your electric skateboard weighs no more than 20 kg and is no wider than 700 mm.
6: Austria
Except for electric skateboards, small electric vehicles, including hoverboards, can be driven on sidewalks as long as they do not threaten pedestrians.
7: Belgium
In Belgium, electric skateboards are treated in the same manner as Segway’s in Belgium since they’re classified as such. Thanks to this, riders can utilize the same areas as bicycles thanks to a 25 km/h speed limit.
8: Croatia
Throughout Croatia, the maximum speed and power for electric bikes is 1/4 kW, while the maximum speed and power for all other vehicles without pedals, including electric skateboards, is 4 kW, and the maximum speed is 45 km/h. In general, they’re permitted on sidewalks and bike lanes, but the legislation has not yet established this with complete certainty.
9: Denmark
A trial phase for a prospective new regulation that will also permit electric skateboards on public highways is being implemented in Denmark. If everyone goes as planned, this could be fantastic news for Danish users of electric skateboards.
10: Finland
Thus, as long as the maximum speed limit is kept at or below 15 km/h and the power does not exceed 1kW, Finland considers electric skateboards to be pedestrians. This means that an electric skateboard is exempt from insurance and registration requirements.
Finland allows the electric skateboard to be classified as equivalent to a bicycle if you want to travel quicker. The speed limit increases to 25 km/h, but the 1 kW cap is still in place. There’re no insurance or registration requirements, but your electric skateboard would have lights, reflectors, and a horn.
Finland is quite progressive in that it allows electric skateboards with more than 1 kW of power and top speeds of more than 25 km/h. Therefore, they should be insured properly and certified as mopeds.
11: France
Electric skateboards are permitted on roads with speed limits of up to 50 km/h, but their own top speed is prohibited at 25 km/h (15 mph), and they must have lights and reflectors.
12: Germany
A draught regulation for the approval of light electric vehicles is also being developed in Germany. However, it will only apply to vehicles with a handle, primarily scooters. A rule governing vehicles with a top speed of at least 12 km/h and a top speed of 20 km/h is expected to take effect.
13: Greece
In Greece, electric skateboards and electric skateboards are currently becoming legal.
14: Ireland
In Ireland, I am unable to buy the insurance and am incapable of legally driving.
15: Italy
Throughout Italy, electric skateboards are illegal. With the exception of electric skateboards, the new micro-mobility edict classified almost all other forms of personal electric transportation.
16: Lithuania
The Lithuanian regulations do not address electric boards, but they do allow bikes and scooters with a max power of 250W.
17: Netherlands
The Netherlands forbids the use of electric skateboards. In reality, everything else but a car, moped, motorbike, or bicycle is banned.
18: Norway
Norway has made them legal by categorizing electric skateboards as bicycles. The powered skateboard requires certain equipment, and the top allowable speed is 20 km/h, which riders would have to be aware of. An electric skateboard should have headlights, taillights, and a horn to alert other users in order to be allowed in Norway. A minimum legal braking power also has to be exhibited by the device.
If any equipment cannot be fitted properly, an exception may occasionally be made. The good news is that motorcyclists in Norway are not required to register or get insurance for their equipment. Furthermore, there is no admission fee required to ride on public highways.
19: Poland
The sidewalk is wide enough for cars to drive on, but there cannot be a bicycle lane.
20: Portugal
It’s indeed legal to use an electric skateboard in Portugal.
21: Spain
Electric skateboards are allowed in Spain. However, the restrictions vary from city to city, so it would be critical to verify your neighborhood’s regulations before using one.
22: Sweden
In Sweden, electric skateboards are now included in the same category as bicycles. As a result, they’re allowed the same rights as bicycles, with the possible exception of minor speed limits.
23: Switzerland
In Switzerland, it’s illegal; you run the risk of losing your skateboard if you’re captured by the authorities.
Are Electric Skateboards Legal In Florida?
Owning an electric skateboard is acceptable in Florida. And only private properties allow you to ride it. E-skateboards are prohibited for use in public spaces like roadways and sidewalks. The surprising thing is that many individuals claim that law enforcement sometimes doesn’t fully enforce these regulations and that many children ride e-boards on sidewalks, bike lanes, and parks.
Are Electric Skateboards Legal In The UK?
Although legality tests are indeed being conducted in some regions, You may use a rented electric skateboard, but you may not use one that you own.
Electric Skateboard London Law
As per UK skateboard legislation, electric skateboards are not allowed in the country. This indicates that in Scotland, Wales, and England, electric skateboards are not permitted on either footpaths or public streets. In the UK, all-electric skateboards with a top speed of 15.5 mph are banned on both roads and sidewalks.
Final Verdict:
When purchasing an electric skateboard, there’re many things to take into account. The most important question which comes to everyone’s mind are electric skateboards legal? However, whether you’re able to use your e-board in public areas or not, is the most important thing to think about. While acquiring an e-board, it is advisable to review the local laws and regulations of your state.
In addition to this, be sure to always follow safety procedures to prevent mishaps. Even though it is often against the law to use an electric skateboard on a public road, people are allowed to use one in a private environment. Therefore, always ride with a helmet and other safety gear on. We imagine a day when e-skaters can use them safely anywhere.
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