E-BIKES AND LOW POWERED SCOOTERS – REQUIREMENTS, DRIVERS’ LICENSE?
COLORADO LAW as it relates to low powered/electric scooter and drivers licenses
CRS 42-2-103(2)(a)
“An operator of a low-power scooter shall possess a valid driver’s license or minor driver’s license”
CRS 42-1-102(48.5)(a)
"Low-power scooter" means a self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on the roadways with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, no manual clutch, and either of the following:(I) A cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters if powered by internal combustion; or(II) A wattage not exceeding four thousand four hundred seventy-six if powered by electricity.(b) "Low-power scooter" does not include a toy vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, electric scooter, wheelchair, or any device designed to assist people with mobility impairments who use pedestrian rights-of-way.
CRS 42-4-1409
Low powered scooter requires insurance
COLORADO LAW as it relates to electric bicycles and drivers licenses
CRS 42-1-102 (28.5)
(28.5) "Electrical assisted bicycle" means a vehicle having two or three wheels, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power. Electrical assisted bicycles are further required to conform to one of three classes as follows:
(a) "Class 1 electrical assisted bicycle" means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour.
(b) "Class 2 electrical assisted bicycle" means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling but ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour.
(c) "Class 3 electrical assisted bicycle" means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour.
CRS 42-1-102 (28.8)
a) "Electric scooter" means a device:(I) Weighing less than one hundred pounds;(II) With handlebars and an electric motor;(III) That is powered by an electric motor; and(IV) That has a maximum speed of twenty miles per hour on a paved level surface when powered solely by the electric motor.(b) "Electric scooter" does not include an electrical assisted bicycle, EPAMD, motorcycle, or low-power scooter.
CRS 42-4-1412
Here, the legislature grouped bicycles, electric assisted bicycles and electric scooters together. Basically, these three items are treated the same under Colorado law.
This section of Colorado law details the responsibilities that the operators of E-Bikes have.
Subsection 14 outlines that an operator of a class 3 electric bicycle may not operate the class 3 e-bike on a pedestrian or bike path,
Subsection 15 requires a helmet for a class 3 e-bike if under the age of 18
Bottom line:
The State of Colorado does not require a license, insurance or registration for e-bikes,
A class 1 or 2 e-bike will allow the rider to ride their e-bike in most areas. With a class 1 or 2 e-bike, the operator can ride on the roadways or on most trails for biking/walking/hiking.
A class 3 e-bike is not allowed on the vast majority of trails. The law basically states that a class 3 e-bike should only be ridden on the roadways.
With that said, if someone turns off the power to their class 3 e-bike, they would be able to ride it on trails. Also, unless the rider is being very aggressive on the trails and causes a disturbance for the other hikers/bikers/walkers, I cant imagine that there would be issues riding a class 3 e-bike on trails.
