E-scooter laws are designed to keep riders safe and make their behavior more predictable for others on the road. When you know and follow the law, you can reduce your risk of an accident and avoid costly violations. The state legislature passed Public Act 19-162, a bill dedicated to e-scooters, in 2019.
What Is an E-Scooter?
E-scooters, or electric foot scooters, are lightweight L-shaped vehicles with two or three wheels and a rechargeable battery. Most models have a platform for the rider to stand on, though some have a small seat built in. You can manually propel the scooter with your foot or use the electric motor to go faster, sometimes up to 20 miles per hour.
An e-scooter is nimble, but its small size makes it harder to see on the road, and the operator is more exposed to their surroundings. All of those factors increase the risk of severe injuries if an accident happens.
What Are Connecticut’s Scooter Laws with Regards to License and Insurance?
In many cases, Public Act 19-162 treats e-scooters the same as bicycles. That means you don’t need a driver’s license to ride a standard e-scooter in Connecticut. You also don’t need to register them in the same way as a car or motorcycle. However, if you rent a scooter through an app like Bird or Lime, the company may still require you to provide a form of identification.
As for insurance, Connecticut doesn’t require e-scooter riders to carry specialized liability coverage. However, you may still have some coverage for property damage under your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Contact your insurer or review your policy documents to determine whether the scooter is covered.
To use your e-scooter on public roads, you must install the following equipment onboard:
- Lighting – Your e-scooter should have a white headlight at the center of the handlebars that’s visible from 500 feet away in clear weather. It should also have a reflecting taillamp at the back.
- Reflective Material – Each scooter should have reflective material along both sides, such that it’s visible by drivers at night.
- Brakes – Your e-scooter should have brakes capable of stopping within 25 feet on clean, dry pavement.
Where Can You Ride an E-Scooter in Connecticut?
You can generally ride e-scooters in the same places where you can ride a bicycle. That includes:
- Local Roads – E-scooter riders must follow the same rules of the road as bicyclists. Obey all signs and traffic signals, stay as far to the right as you can, and yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Bike Lanes – You can ride your e-scooter inside of dedicated bike lanes. Stay within the lane, ride no more than two abreast, and watch for slower vehicles and cross traffic.
- Trails and Paths – Some multi-use trails, but not all, allow e-scooters along the route. Follow the posted guidelines for your trail, stay to the right, keep your speed in check, and give an audible signal before overtaking someone else.
In any case, you should not ride at speeds over 20 miles per hour. Our Hartford personal injury attorney is here to assist.
Where Can You NOT Ride an E-Scooter?
E-scooters are welcome on many local Connecticut roads, but there are a few places where you can’t ride them. Restrictions include the following:
- Limited Access Highways – Because e-scooters don’t go as fast as a regular car, you can’t use them on freeways and some state highways.
- Sidewalks – Many Connecticut cities don’t allow people to ride e-scooters on sidewalks. This is to minimize the risk of injuries to pedestrians.
- Areas Prohibited by Local Ordinance – Cities can ban e-scooters from certain areas, such as historical neighborhoods or business districts with high foot traffic. Follow posted signs telling you about prohibited vehicles, and walk your scooter if you’re in doubt.
- Areas Prohibited by Your Rental Company – The GPS trackers on rented e-scooters often have hardcoded “no zones” that customers can’t ride in. If you cross into a no zone, you won’t be able to use the scooter until leaving the area.
Are Helmets Required?
Connecticut’s e-scooter helmet laws depend on your age. If you’re under 16, you must always wear a helmet during your ride, and rental companies must provide you with a helmet by law. If you’re over 16, there’s no legal helmet requirement at the state level. However, cities can set stricter helmet requirements within their jurisdiction, and renters can require helmet use.
Even if you technically don’t have to wear a helmet, you should still do so to reduce the risk of life-altering head and brain injuries.
Who Can Be Held at Fault in a Connecticut E-Scooter Crash?
Every e-scooter crash has unique circumstances. Sometimes, one party is responsible, while other times, multiple different parties share fault. Your e-scooter accident attorney can investigate each of these parties to determine if they had a role to play:
- Other E-Scooter Riders – Traffic laws still apply to e-scooters. If another rider ignored traffic signals or weaved in and out of lanes, they may hold some responsibility for your injuries.
- Drivers – Driver negligence is common in e-scooter accidents involving cars or trucks. Distracted driving, speeding, disregarding right-of-way rules, or drifting into bike lanes can all contribute to a crash.
- Cities or Government Offices – Hazardous road conditions, such as large potholes or obstructed signs, can contribute to an e-scooter accident.
- Scooter Manufacturers – Faulty brakes, a malfunctioning electrical system, or other defective components can contribute to a crash.
Contact a Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer
We hope this guide to Connecticut e-scooter laws gives you more clarity on this newer mode of transportation. If you were injured in an e-scooter accident, the attorneys of Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, can evaluate your case. Our Hartford car accident lawyer can help
We have over 55 years of combined legal experience and won several six-figure settlements and verdicts. Past clients have praised our personalized, collaborative, and direct approach. Rather than delegating work to an assistant, your e-scooter accident lawyer will communicate directly with you and build your case entirely on your behalf. We will promptly answer any questions you have about your case.
Our consultations are free, without obligation, and completely confidential. Contact our Plainville or Glastonbury offices today to speak with one of our team members.
