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http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/03/11/california-bill-would-pave-way-for-electric-skateboards/
Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, who represents parts of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, unveiled AB 2054 Tuesday, a bill that would permit electrically motorized skateboards to share the road with other modes of transportation.
The self-propelled skateboards were banned from street use in 1977, Olsen said, because the gas-powered boards that were around at that time were noisy and produced a fair amount of pollution.
“Now, these electrically powered boards are clean and quiet,” she told The Chronicle in an interview. “We shouldn’t be subjecting their users to infractions for using such an environmentally friendly product. AB 2054 simply seeks to modernize this antiquated law.”
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/bill-looks-allow-electric-skateboards-road/nd9dH/
SAN FRANCISCO — KTVU has learned that a new bill will be announced in Sacramento Tuesday that would allow certain skateboards on the road where they currently are banned.
Right now, you can ride regular skateboards on some roads and paths, but electric skateboards are banned everywhere. The proposed bill would change that.
Electric skateboards are still a novelty but they are gaining some traction.
Ben Foreman of San Francisco is co-founder of an electric skateboard company Intuitive Motion. He says the Modesto-based company has shipped electric skateboards to 45 countries.
He says these boards are about helping commuters.
The electric motor is powered by a large lithium ion phosphate battery and it can go up to 18 miles-per -hour forward and up to four miles-per-hour in reverse.
The 32-pound skateboard even goes up hills.
"It's not about doing tricks or slides or grinds, it's about replacing a vehicle, so instead of being in a car, you're on an electric skateboard, instead of being on a bike, you're on an electric skateboard," said Foreman.
One woman who is a regular commuter by bus says it might be something she'd consider.
"If I could cut my commute and enjoy some fresh air, why not?" said Tatyana Shtyrkova
There's a big barrier though. California Vehicle Code 21068 bans electric skateboards from all roads, sidewalks, paths and trails.
"We think they should be able to ride this where they can ride a bike," Foreman told KTVU.
Now, a bill is being introduced that would change the law and allow people to ride electric skateboards anywhere that bicycles are allowed. That includes bike lanes on streets as well as bike paths, it would not include sidewalks.
Some longtime skateboarders say it's an interesting idea, but say electric skateboards are very different from traditional boards.
"They need to be regulated or controlled because they can go pretty fast. They can be pretty dangerous I think," said Kent Uyehara, owner of the well-known FTC Skate Boarding company.
Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen of Modesto plans to announce her bill Tuesday morning in Sacramento.
It will likely go through the transportation committee in the coming weeks.
http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/03/11/california-bill-would-pave-way-for-electric-skateboards/
Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, who represents parts of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, unveiled AB 2054 Tuesday, a bill that would permit electrically motorized skateboards to share the road with other modes of transportation.
The self-propelled skateboards were banned from street use in 1977, Olsen said, because the gas-powered boards that were around at that time were noisy and produced a fair amount of pollution.
“Now, these electrically powered boards are clean and quiet,” she told The Chronicle in an interview. “We shouldn’t be subjecting their users to infractions for using such an environmentally friendly product. AB 2054 simply seeks to modernize this antiquated law.”
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/bill-looks-allow-electric-skateboards-road/nd9dH/
SAN FRANCISCO — KTVU has learned that a new bill will be announced in Sacramento Tuesday that would allow certain skateboards on the road where they currently are banned.
Right now, you can ride regular skateboards on some roads and paths, but electric skateboards are banned everywhere. The proposed bill would change that.
Electric skateboards are still a novelty but they are gaining some traction.
Ben Foreman of San Francisco is co-founder of an electric skateboard company Intuitive Motion. He says the Modesto-based company has shipped electric skateboards to 45 countries.
He says these boards are about helping commuters.
The electric motor is powered by a large lithium ion phosphate battery and it can go up to 18 miles-per -hour forward and up to four miles-per-hour in reverse.
The 32-pound skateboard even goes up hills.
"It's not about doing tricks or slides or grinds, it's about replacing a vehicle, so instead of being in a car, you're on an electric skateboard, instead of being on a bike, you're on an electric skateboard," said Foreman.
One woman who is a regular commuter by bus says it might be something she'd consider.
"If I could cut my commute and enjoy some fresh air, why not?" said Tatyana Shtyrkova
There's a big barrier though. California Vehicle Code 21068 bans electric skateboards from all roads, sidewalks, paths and trails.
"We think they should be able to ride this where they can ride a bike," Foreman told KTVU.
Now, a bill is being introduced that would change the law and allow people to ride electric skateboards anywhere that bicycles are allowed. That includes bike lanes on streets as well as bike paths, it would not include sidewalks.
Some longtime skateboarders say it's an interesting idea, but say electric skateboards are very different from traditional boards.
"They need to be regulated or controlled because they can go pretty fast. They can be pretty dangerous I think," said Kent Uyehara, owner of the well-known FTC Skate Boarding company.
Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen of Modesto plans to announce her bill Tuesday morning in Sacramento.
It will likely go through the transportation committee in the coming weeks.
