Bicycle Safety and the Law: Quiz #1
Some people have told me I am excessively rule-oriented. “Obsessive-compulsive” is one of the kinder words. A company vice president once said to me, “Your problem is that 99.9% of the time, you’re right. Unfortunately, 98% of the time, nobody cares” (or words to that effect). I think I understand what he was driving at, but when is it right to be wrong – especially when our lives could depend on knowing the rules that are designed to protect us all? Anyway, it is important to know the rules and the laws that govern bicycles and particularly the laws about the interactions with other riders, motor vehicles, and pedestrians.
I offer a couple of teasers – mostly pretty basic, but we will be getting into meatier topics in future editions. We have had attorneys come and explain the laws at club meetings, and judging from the number of questions that always follow, there seems to be a lot of interest. Do YOU know the answers?
Questions:
- Under Oregon Revised Statutes, how many wheels can a bicycle have?
- Are e-bikes “bicycles”? How about scooters? Where can they operate? ✎
Answers:
- This is pretty straightforward and is covered in the Oregon Revised Statutes 801.150. A bicycle is a vehicle that a) is designed to be operated on the ground on wheels, b) has a seat or saddle for use of the rider, c) is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and d) is propelled exclusively by human power. Amazingly, it seems a tricycle, despite having three wheels, could be a bicycle.
- This is probably gonna be confusing and maybe raise some hackles, but no, e-bikes are “e-bikes,” not “bicycles,” and operate under slightly different rules (Oregon Bicycling Manual, Online Edition, ODOT). A bicycle is a human-powered vehicle. Electric-assist bicycles, also called e-bikes, are bicycles that are operated by pedaling but get an extra boost from an electric motor. There are a few different rules that apply to e-bikes in the Oregon Vehicle Code. For example, the minimum age to operate an e-bike is 16. People riding e-bikes may ride in bicycle lanes and on paths but not on sidewalks. If there isn’t a bicycle lane, you can ride an e-bike or e-scooter in the lane with traffic. Cities, counties, and landowners often have their own rules about where e-bikes are allowed (especially in parks and on trails). Check the rules for your area before purchasing or using an e-bike. Electric scooters, or e-scooters, are subject to the same rules as e-bikes, except people of all ages must wear a helmet while riding an e-scooter and travel at a maximum speed of 15 MPH. Information on pocket bikes, mini-motorbikes, motor-assisted scooters, mopeds, segways and similar motorized vehicles that do not qualify as e-bikes is available at: www.oregonwalkbike.org under “Oregon Laws and Regulations.”
Dave McQuery, Membership Secretary