COLUMBUS – Hearings begin Monday in the Ohio Senate on a House-passed transportation budget bill that includes increases in the state fuel taxes and, among other things, proposes new regulations covering light-weight electric scooters.
The two-year budget bill passed by the House last week creates several laws regulating the low-speed scooters currently regulated under various municipal rules.
Under House Bill 62, scooters couldn’t go over 15 mph, and would have to use lighting at night. Operators would have to yield to pedestrians at all times and give an audible signal when overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
People under age 16 would be prohibited from using the scooters allowed on public streets, highways, sidewalks, paths and bike lanes.
The bill also states scooters would be exempt from state registration, title and insurance requirements for vehicles.