Guide for Legal Use of Light Electric Vehicles in Oregon and Portland Parks (Bike Paths & Park Bike Trails)

Print this and keep it with you on your electric bike or scooter. Present to a police officer if stopped - Laws are changing favorably for alternative electric transportation, including use in formerly restricted areas such as bike paths and parks, and many enforcement officers are not current on the law. This may not deter them from giving you a ticket, but it will help to educate them and the system. YOU know the law, and as long as you are within it, any ticket issued to you may be dismissed. Be pleasant to the officer and with this in hand, you should not be ticketed for the lawful operation of your electric bike, scooter, or mobility devise.

Below are the Oregon Statues regarding the legal (bike lane legal - NOT street legal; which means driving in with traffic) use of Light Electric Vehicles in the State of Oregon:

801.258 "Electric assisted bicycle." "Electric assisted bicycle" means a vehicle that:

(1) Is designed to be operated on the ground on wheels;

(2) Has a seat or saddle for use of the rider;

(3) Is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground;

(4) Has both fully operative pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor; and

(5) Is equipped with an electric motor that:

(a) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts; and

(b) Is incapable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground. [1997 c.400 §2; 1999 c.59 §233]

801.345 "Moped." "Moped" means a vehicle, including any bicycle equipped with a power source, other than an electric assisted bicycle as defined in ORS 801.258 or a motor assisted scooter as defined in ORS 801.348, that complies with all of the following:

(1) It is designed to be operated on the ground upon wheels.

(2) It has a seat or saddle for use of the rider.

(3) It is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.

(4) It is equipped with an independent power source that:

(a) Is capable of propelling the vehicle, unassisted, at a speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on a level road surface; and

(b) If the power source is a combustion engine, has a piston or rotor displacement of 35.01 to 50 cubic centimeters regardless of the number of chambers in the power source.

(5) It is equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only and does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the system is engaged. [1983 c.338 §59; 1985 c.16 §19; 1997 c.400 §5; 2001 c.749 §25]

801.348 "Motor assisted scooter." "Motor assisted scooter" means a vehicle that:

(1) Is designed to be operated on the ground with not more than three wheels;

(2) Has handlebars and a foot support or seat for the operator’s use;

(3) Can be propelled by motor or human propulsion; and

(4) Is equipped with a power source that is incapable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of greater than 24 miles per hour on level ground and:

(a) If the power source is a combustion engine, has a piston or rotor displacement of 35 cubic centimeters or less regardless of the number of chambers in the power source; or

(b) If the power source is electric, has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts. [2001 c.749 §2]

NEW: FOR LEGAL USE OF BIKE TRAILS IN PORTLAND:

PCC 20.12.170(d)(e):

D. No person shall operate any motorized vehicle or motorized wheeled vehicle or motorized wheeled device in any Park, except on Park roads or in designated vehicle parking areas, or by permit. The prohibitions of this Section do not apply to authorized service or emergency vehicles or to the following electric mobility devices used by persons who need assistance to be mobile, and used in accordance with all applicable park and traffic rules:

1. "Electric assisted bicycle" as defined in ORS 801.258;

2. "Motorized wheelchair," "Mobility scooter" or "Power chair" defined as an electric powered transportation device for one person in a seated position, with feet resting on floorboards or foot rests, and incapable of exceeding a speed of 20 mph; or 3. "Human or personal transporter system" defined as a self-balancing, electric-powered transportation device with two wheels, able to turn in place, and designed to transport one person in a standing position, with a top speed of 20 mph.

E. No person shall operate an electric mobility device in a park in an unsafe manner or at a speed exceeding 15 mph, or, when pedestrians are present, at a speed exceeding 5 mph, or fail to yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians.

The rules DO NOT require you to disclose the nature of your reason for needing power assistance, nor is any medical card or ID required to be presented. There is no age restriction - pain, disability, or dysfunction occurs to anyone of any age.

This State and Local Laws Guide for Light Electric Vehicles has been prepared as a community service by your friends at Scoot On This! LLC, who has performed Due Diligence in the preparation of the materials contained within, but are not responsible for any errors of omission, expiration, or interpretation that may occur.