Existing law defines an electric bicycle for various purposes as a device upon which a person may ride that is generally recognized as a bicycle, is propelled by an electric engine that must not produce more than 1 gross brake horsepower or achieve a speed of more than 20 miles per hour while traveling on a flat surface and that has certain other specifications. (NRS 482.0287, 483.067, 484B.017) Existing law: (1) excludes electric bicycles from vehicle licensing and registration requirements; (2) excludes electric bicycles from the provisions requiring vehicle drivers' licenses; and (3) provides that electric bicycles are subject to the same traffic laws and various other requirements as bicycles (NRS 482.210, 483.090, 483.230, 484B.763) Section 10 of this bill establishes three classes of electric bicycles and establishes separate maximum speed and propulsion requirements for each class. Sections 1, 2, 4, 6 and 11-13 of this bill make conforming changes to uniformly apply this definition of “electric bicycle.” Section 9 of this bill: (1) requires a manufacturer or distributor of an electric bicycle in this State to apply certain labeling to an electric bicycle that it manufactures or distributes on or after January 1, 2022; (2) provides that an electric bicycle operating or sold in this State must comply with certain equipment, manufacturing and operational requirements; and (3) requires that a class 3 electric bicycle be equipped with a speedometer. Existing law requires that electric bicycles be allowed on any trail or pedestrian walkway that is intended for use by bicycles and is constructed using certain federal funding. (NRS 408.579) Section 18 of this bill eliminates this requirement and instead, section 5 of this bill, with certain exceptions, authorizes an electric bicycle to be ridden in places where bicycles are allowed. Section 14 of this bill includes riding an electric bicycle in the nonexclusive list of activities in existing law that are considered recreational activities for the purposes of the provision governing liability to persons using premises for recreational activities. (NRS 41.510) Existing law also provides that it is unlawful for any person to throw a projectile or substance at, or wrongfully damage, bicycles, motor vehicles or certain other devices and vehicles. (NRS 205.2741) Section 15 of this bill adds electric bicycles to that list of devices and vehicles.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 482.0287, 483.067, 484A.010, 484B.017, 485.050, 486.038, 486.041, 41.510, 205.2741, 408.571, 408.579
Reprint 1: 482.0287, 483.067, 484A.010, 484B.017, 485.050, 486.038, 486.041, 41.510, 205.2741, 408.571, 408.579
Reprint 2: 482.0287, 483.067, 484A.010, 484B.017, 485.050, 486.038, 486.041, 41.510, 205.2741, 408.571, 408.579
As Enrolled: 482.0287, 483.067, 484A.010, 484B.017, 485.050, 486.038, 486.041, 41.510, 205.2741, 408.571, 408.579