Montgomery County Council President Sidney Katz introduced Bill 8-20, Bicycles and E-Scooters—Operating Requirements and Registration, to establish operating rules for low-speed, electric scooter use in Montgomery County. Councilmember Gabe Albornoz is a cosponsor. The goal of the bill is to reduce injuries associated with the usage of electric scooters by establishing age requirements for use, limiting speeds and requiring helmets and reflectors.
“Electric scooters are a growing transportation method; however, there are few laws on the books regarding their operation,” said Council President Katz. “The Council wants to encourage all types of transportation options, but we must do so in a way that is safe for everyone, including electric scooter riders.”
Bill 8-20 requires that individuals operating electric scooters must be at least 14 years of age and must not operate an electric scooter at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour. The bill also requires that an individual using an electric scooter who is younger than 18 must wear a helmet.
The new legislation also prohibits parking an electric scooter in multiple areas including, but not limited to, public streets, alleys, driveways and outdoor dining areas or in a manner that obstructs accessibility or prohibits the free flow of pedestrians.
Forbes reports that a recent study by JAMA Surgery found that from 2014-2018 nearly 3,300 individuals were admitted to U.S. hospitals with scooter-related injuries, and there were 39,000 total scooter related injuries over that same period. The article noted the “high proportion of people with head injuries” from electric scooter crashes and accidents. One of the goals of Bill 8-20 is to help cut down on the number of injuries and create safer streets and sidewalks across the county.
The public hearing for the bill is March 24 at 1:30 p.m.