2022 -- H 7839

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LC005024

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGULATION OF ELECTRIC

BICYCLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Kislak, Baginski, Ajello, Speakman, McGaw, Potter, and
Tanzi

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2022

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 19.6

REGULATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES

     31-19.6-1. Regulation.

     Electric bicycles are to be regulated like bicycles. The same rules of the road apply to both

electric bicycles and human-powered bicycles pursuant to the provisions of this title.

     31-19.6-2. Exemptions from regulation.

     An electric bicycle or a person operating an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions

of this title applicable to motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, registration, certificates of

title, operators' licenses, financial responsibility, recreational vehicles, motor vehicle dealers, or

commercial motor vehicles.

     31-19.6-3. Classes.

     There shall be three (3) classes of electric bicycles:

     (1) Class 1: Bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the

rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches twenty

miles per hour (20 mph).

     (2) Class 2: Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated electric motor that ceases to provide

assistance when the electric bicycle reaches twenty miles per hour (20 mph).

     (3) Class 3: Bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the

rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches twenty-

eight miles per hour (28 mph).

     31-19.6-4. Helmets required - Age of operators.

     (a) Helmets, as defined in § 31-19-2.1, are required for riders fifteen (15) years of age or

younger for all three (3) classes of electric bicycles and for all riders of Class 3 electric bicycles.

     (b) Persons under sixteen (16) years of age may not ride a Class 3 electric bicycle, unless

as a passenger.

     31-19.6-5. Speedometer.

     All Class 3 electric bicycles shall be equipped with a speedometer that is capable of

displaying the speed the electric bicycle is traveling in miles per hour.

     31-19.6-6. Municipal regulations.

     (a) Local governments shall not restrict the use of electric bicycles except to regulate the

speed they may travel or in order to comply with other laws or legal obligations.

     (b) A person shall not operate a Class 3 electric bicycle on a bicycle lane or multi-use path

in excess of the posted or applicable speed limit, or if there is no posted or applicable speed limit,

twenty miles per hour (20 mph).

     31-19.6-7. Labels on electronic bicycles.

     On or after January 1, 2023, 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 nine (9) point type.

     31-19.6-8. Consumer protection.

     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).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2023.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGULATION OF ELECTRIC

BICYCLES

***

     This act would regulate electric bicycles in the same manner as human-powered bicycles,

classify electric bicycles into three (3) classes, require all electric bicycles to have a label affixed

to the bicycle and be equipped with a speedometer.

     This act would take effect January 1, 2023.

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