6 Things to Know About E-Scooter Safety in Portland, Oregon
E-scooters are an increasingly popular way for people to get around Portland. Most e-scooters are rented via a smartphone app that allows users to conveniently pick up (and drop off) a vehicle at a location convenient to them. With such convenience, however, there are also some serious safety risks. E-scooter accidents have become more frequent throughout Portland, often as a result of users not understanding and following basic safety practices.
With that in mind, here are just six things you need to know about e-scooter safety in Oregon.
- E-Scooters Must Be Locked When Not In Use
Oddly enough, e-scooters are often most likely to cause an accident when they are not in use. This is because many users simply dump their used scooters on the sidewalk, which creates a substantial tripping accident hazard. For this reason, the City of Portland requires users to lock their scooters after each ride. This can be done using a city bike rack or even a city signpost if there are no available bike racks. Some e-scooter companies also maintain their own racks or bike-share stations.
- E-Scooters Must Stay Off Sidewalks
While some states and municipalities allow e-scooters to be used on public sidewalks, that is not the case in Portland. Oregon law forbids the operation of e-scooters on any sidewalk or crosswalk. The City of Portland does permit e-scooters on city streets, multi-use paths, and designated bike lanes. Additionally, the city prohibits the use of e-scooters or any other “motorized wheel device” inside of public parks, except on park roads, designated parking areas, or by permit.
- Riders Must Wear Helmets
Oregon law requires anyone operating an e-scooter to wear a bicycle helmet or similar protective headgear unless doing so would violate their religious beliefs.
- No Passengers
Most e-scooters are designed to handle one person only. More to the point, it is illegal in Oregon for an e-scooter operator to carry a passenger. Keep in mind, most consumer-grade electric scooters can only safely handle about 220 pounds of weight, which is less than the average combined weight of two adults.
- Speed Limits Are Lower
Under Oregon law, an e-scooter cannot exceed speeds of more than 15 miles per hour when in use, regardless of the posted speed limit for other vehicles.
- You Don’t Need a License
E-scooters are not subject to the same licensing and registration requirements as cars, trucks, or motorcycles. This means that you do not have to have a driver’s license to operate an e-scooter on Portland city streets. You do, however, have to be at least 16 years old. And many e-scooter operators will not rent their vehicles to anyone who is not a legal adult, i.e., at least 18 years old.
Contact a Portland E-Scooter Accident Lawyer Today
If you are involved in an electric scooter accident, whether as an operator, pedestrian, or motorist, you should seek out timely legal advice regarding your options for seeking compensation for your injuries. Our Portland e-scooter accident lawyers are here to help. Contact Rosenbaum Law Group, PC, today at 503-288-8000 to schedule a free consultation.
