Report Title:

Transportation; Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device

Description:

Amends the statewide traffic code to define and regulate the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

835

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to personal transportation.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that electric personal assistive mobility devices represent a major innovation in personal travel for the citizens of Hawaii. These devices are clean fuel and quiet technological transportation devices that will improve productivity, enhance mobility for a variety of individuals, improve the environment, and reduce the State's dependence on foreign oil.

The purpose of this Act is to amend the motor vehicle code to define and provide for the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices.

SECTION 2. Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read, as follows:

"§291C- Electric personal assistive mobility devices; restrictions. (a) An electric personal assistive mobility device may be operated at a speed no greater than eight miles per hour on the sidewalks and bicycle paths of the State.

(b) An electric personal assistive mobility device operator shall be sixteen years of age or older, except for an operator with a mobility-related disability.

(c) An electric personal assistive mobility device operator on a sidewalk, bike path, or roadway, shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with, and shall yield the right-of-way to, persons traveling on foot.

(d) An electric personal assistive mobility device operator shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

(e) An electric personal assistive mobility device operator shall wear, or equip the electric personal assistive mobility device with, reflectors and a head lamp when operating between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise."

SECTION 3. Section 291C-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Electric personal assistive mobility device" means a self-balancing two-wheeled, nontandem-wheeled device, designed to transport only one person, using an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to twelve and one-half miles per hour or less."

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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