This bill amends existing laws regarding nonvehicular personal transportation, specifically bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, and pedestrian conveyances. It introduces a new section, 321.234B, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of individuals using these devices on highways, while maintaining that they are not required to register the device, hold a driver's license, or carry proof of financial liability coverage. The bill establishes various regulations, such as prohibiting the use of devices on highways with speed limits above 25 miles per hour, requiring compliance with manufacturer recommendations, and restricting the carrying of packages that impede control of the device. Additionally, it sets speed limits for device use on sidewalks and multi-use trails, mandates yielding to pedestrians, and specifies that a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle must have a speedometer and cannot be operated by individuals under 16.

The bill also expands existing lighting requirements for bicycles to include all devices, necessitating front and rear lights for visibility. Violations of the new regulations are classified as simple misdemeanors, with penalties that include confinement for up to 30 days and fines ranging from $105 to $855, which is an increase from previous fines for bicycle and electric device violations. The bill repeals section 321.235A and makes conforming changes to other sections of the code to ensure consistency with the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.234, 321.384, 805.8A, 321.235A