West Hollywood’s ongoing battle with E-Scooters continues as spray painted signs appear all over all over Santa Monica Boulevard this week reminding scooter riders that it is against the law to ride an E-Scooter on the sidewalk. The signs reference California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21235 with the words, “IT’S THE LAW – No E-Scooters on Sidewalks.” But what exactly, does CVC 21235 say about riding these silent motorized vehicles?
According to State of California VEHICLE CODE Section 21235, the operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:
(a) Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable
the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) Operate a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a class II bicycle lane. (c) Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened
bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.
(d) Operate a motorized scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction
permit.
(e) Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator. (f) Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that
prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
(g) Operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to
enter or leave adjacent property.
(h) Operate a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that
the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(i) Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.
(j) Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway.
The City voted to ban companies from leaving e-scooters for rent within the city limits back in July. The vote was 4 to 1.
