AN
ACT Relating to electric personal assistive mobility devices; amending RCW
46.04.320, 46.04.330, 46.04.332, 46.04.670, 46.20.500, 46.61.710, and
35.75.020; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; and creating a new
section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. A
new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:
"Electric
personal assistive mobility device" (EPAMD) means a self-balancing device
with two wheels not in tandem, designed to transport only one person by an
electric propulsion system with an average power of seven hundred fifty watts
(one horsepower) having a maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered
solely by such a propulsion system while ridden by an operator weighing one
hundred seventy pounds, of less than twenty miles per hour.
Sec.
2. RCW
46.04.320 and 1961 c 12 s 46.04.320 are each amended to read as follows:
"Motor
vehicle" shall mean every vehicle which is self-propelled and every
vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley
wires, but not operated upon rails. An electric personal assistive mobility
device is not considered a motor vehicle.
Sec.
3. RCW
46.04.330 and 1990 c 250 s 20 are each amended to read as follows:
"Motorcycle"
means a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in
contact with the ground, on which the driver rides astride the motor unit or
power train and is designed to be steered with a handle bar, but excluding a
farm tractor, an electric personal assistive mobility device, and a
moped.
The Washington state patrol may approve of and define as a
"motorcycle" a motor vehicle that fails to meet these specific
criteria, but that is essentially similar in performance and application to
motor vehicles that do meet these specific criteria.
Sec.
4. RCW
46.04.332 and 1979 ex.s. c 213 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
"Motor-driven cycle" means every motorcycle, including
every motor scooter, with a motor ((which)) that produces not to
exceed five brake horsepower (developed by a prime mover, as measured by a
brake applied to the driving shaft). A motor-driven cycle does not include a
moped or an electric personal assistive mobility device.
Sec.
5. RCW
46.04.670 and 1994 c 262 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
"Vehicle"
includes every device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in,
upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be transported or drawn
upon a public highway, including bicycles. The term does not include devices
other than bicycles moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon
stationary rails or tracks. Mopeds shall not be considered vehicles or motor
vehicles for the purposes of chapter 46.70 RCW. Bicycles shall not be
considered vehicles for the purposes of chapter 46.12, 46.16, or 46.70 RCW. Electric
personal assistive mobility devices are not considered vehicles or motor
vehicles for the purposes of chapter 46.12, 46.16, 46.29, 46.37, or 46.70 RCW.
Sec.
6. RCW
46.20.500 and 1999 c 274 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
No person may drive a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle unless such person has
a valid driver's license specially endorsed by the director to enable the
holder to drive such vehicles.
(2)
However, a person sixteen years of age or older, holding a valid driver's
license of any class issued by the state of the person's residence, may operate
a moped without taking any special examination for the operation of a moped.
(3)
No driver's license is required for operation of an electric-assisted bicycle
if the operator is at least sixteen years of age. Persons under sixteen years
of age may not operate an electric-assisted bicycle.
(4)
No driver's license is required to operate an electric personal assistive
mobility device.
Sec.
7. RCW
46.61.710 and 1997 c 328 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
No person shall operate a moped upon the highways of this state unless the
moped has been assigned a moped registration number and displays a moped permit
in accordance with the provisions of RCW 46.16.630.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a moped may not be operated on a
bicycle path or trail, bikeway, equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational
trail.
(3)
Operation of a moped, electric personal assistive mobility device, or an
electric-assisted bicycle on a fully controlled limited access highway ((or
on a sidewalk)) is unlawful. Operation of a moped or an
electric-assisted bicycle on a sidewalk is unlawful.
(4)
Removal of any muffling device or pollution control device from a moped is
unlawful.
(5)
Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of this section do not apply to electric-assisted
bicycles. Electric-assisted bicycles may have access to highways of the state
to the same extent as bicycles. Electric-assisted bicycles may be operated on
a multipurpose trail or bicycle lane, but local jurisdictions may restrict or
otherwise limit the access of electric-assisted bicycles.
(6)
A person operating an electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) shall
obey all speed limits and shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and
human-powered devices at all times. An operator must also give an audible
signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian. Except for the limitations
of this subsection, persons operating an EPAMD have all the rights and duties
of a pedestrian.
(7)
The use of an EPAMD may be regulated in the following circumstances:
(a)
A municipality and the department of transportation may prohibit the operation
of an EPAMD on public highways within their respective jurisdictions where the
speed limit is greater than twenty-five miles per hour;
(b)
A municipality may restrict the speed of an EPAMD in locations with congested
pedestrian or nonmotorized traffic and where there is significant speed
differential between pedestrians or nonmotorized traffic and EPAMD operators.
The areas in this subsection must be designated by the city engineer or
designee of the municipality. Municipalities shall not restrict the speed of
an EPAMD in the entire community or in areas in which there is infrequent
pedestrian traffic;
(c)
A state agency or local government may regulate the operation of an EPAMD
within the boundaries of any area used for recreation, open space, habitat,
trails, or conservation purposes.
Sec.
8. RCW
35.75.020 and 1965 c 7 s 35.75.020 are each amended to read as follows:
It
shall be unlawful for any person to lead, drive, ride, or propel any
team, wagon, animal, or vehicle other than a bicycle, electric personal
assistive mobility device, or similar vehicle upon and along any bicycle
path constructed within or without the corporate limits of any city or town
excepting at suitable crossings to be provided in the construction of such
paths. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The
legislature shall review the provisions of this act and make any necessary
changes by July 1, 2005.
