The Basics of Micromobility and Related Motorized Devices for Personal Transport
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
INFO BRIEF The basics of micromobility and related motorized devices for personal transport www.pedbikeinfo.org 1 Introduction With a surge of new personal transportation weight categories. Cities or other jurisdictions devices coming to market, some integrated into can define the weight and width limitations for shared ride systems (such as bikeshare programs), different types of roadway facilities. there is a need to establish a common vocabulary for these options, and provide basic information This info brief specifically focuses on micromobility about how these devices are classified and devices used for personal transportation on regulated. This info brief provides an overview of paved roads, sidewalks, and paths, and does not powered forms of micromobility and compares cover devices used for vocational purposes and features of micromobility with a spectrum of other commercial goods/services delivery or for off- traditional and emerging forms of transportation. road or air-based travel. While pedestrians and It references and builds upon micromobility bicyclists—including those using nonmotorized definitions created by the Society of Automotive bikeshare bikes—might share similar Engineers (SAE), a standards-developing characteristics (such as small size and low travel organization and professional association. speed speed) as well as use the same facilities where micromobility devices are operated, they Powered micromobility devices, sometimes called are already well-defined by most regulatory, personal e-mobility devices, share three common roadway design, and injury reporting frameworks characteristics: and are therefore not included in this info brief. Similarly, motorized wheelchairs and personal • Motorized: They can either be fully motorized mobility devices used by people with disabilities (capable of movement without human power) already have a standard legal definition and or motor-assisted, in which the rider provides injury reporting mechanism and are therefore some human-powered propulsion (such as by not considered “micromobility,” though they are pedaling or kicking). They usually involve a shown in Table 2 as a related device. battery-powered electric motor but may also be capable of using another energy source, such as Related Terms gasoline. Dockless • Low speed: Most micromobility devices are Dockless devices are those that do not require a designed to travel at or below 20 miles per parking station in order to pick up or return the hour (MPH), and some devices may operate at device. or be regulated to even lower speeds, such as Shared-use 8 MPH or less, to be compatible with sidewalk Shared-use devices are those that are part of a use. According to SAE definitions, the top travel rental system, rather than personally owned. speed for micromobility devices is 30 MPH or less. Electric-assist This term is often used interchangeably with • Small size: The weight, width, height, and the terms “power assist,” “pedal assist” or length of a device all contribute to defining “pedelec” to indicate that an electric powered size. For most micromobility devices, a standard motor is providing power to supplement human width is three feet or less, fitting within the propulsion of a device; it can also be used to standard bike lane or sidewalk width, and the define throttle-assisted devices (such as Class 2 weight is typically less than 100 pounds. By e-bikes). See Table 1 for more detail. SAE’s definition, all micromobility devices weigh less than 500 pounds and fall within one of four 2 Categories of Micromobility Devices The following table provides examples and key characteristics of common micromobility devices. Table 1: Common micromobility devices Electric standing Electric bicycles (e-bikes) Other1 or sitting scooters (e scooters) Device Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Pedal assist (pedalec) Throttle assist Pedal assist (pedalec) at higher speed Shared: Bird, Lime, Shared: Lime, Mobike, Owned: Several Owned: Several Owned: Boosted, and many others Ofo, Pace, Spin, and many bike brands (less major brands; Inboard, others common than Class multiple passenger Mellow Boards, Owned: Inboard 1 and 3) versions include Metroboard Glider, Segway Owned: Most major bike Better Bike (PEBL), 9Bot brands; multiple passenger and Podride Example brands versions include Organic Transit (ELF) and Yuba Typically < 50 lbs Typically < 100 lbs; Typically < 100 lbs Typically < 100 lbs; < 50 lbs multiple passenger versions multiple passenger Weight near 200 lbs versions near 200 lbs Single rider Usually a single rider; some Typically designed Usually a single Single rider cargo e-bikes or bike cars for single riders rider; some designed for multiple riders designed for Occupants multiple riders Electric motor Electric motor typically Electric motor Electric motor Electric motor typically < 750 < 750 watts typically < 750 typically < 750 typically < 750 Power supply watts watts watts watts 20 MPH or less; 20 MPH or less 20 MPH or less 28 MPH or less Most are 20 MPH or 2 some cities apply less though some additional speed can go up to 30 speed Product restrictions MPH Varies by place;3 Varies by place;3 Varies by place;3 Varies by place;3 Varies by place3 some cities restrict usually allowed on bike usually allowed on some States restrict in crowded places transportation facilities bike transportation access on bike space Operating and paths facilities and paths paths Consumer Product CPSC (only for personally CPSC (only for CPSC (only for CPSC (only for Safety Commission owned devices) personally owned personally owned personally owned (CPSC), for devices) devices) devices) personally owned 4 Regulated by devices 3 Other Related Transportation Modes Table 2 shows other forms of travel that may share similar features or operating space with micromobility but do not technically meet the definition of micromobility and may be subject to different regulatory standards. Table 2: Devices that may be related to, but outside of, the micromobility classification. Mobility scooter Golf cart Moped / Scooter, Motorcycle / Scooter, < 50 cc5 > 50 cc Device Drive, Pride Medical, Polaris, Yamaha Tomos, Vespa Harley, Honda, Yamaha Rascal Example brands 200-400 lbs 500-1100 lbs 200-250 lbs 250-500 lbs Weight Single rider Multiple riders 1-2 riders 1-2 riders Occupants Battery powered motor 36 or 48-volt batteries or Electric or gas (50cc or Electric or gas powered gas powered (2 or 4 stroke less) producing under 2 engine) HP; may require pedal start Power supply 4-12 MPH 20 MPH or less 30 MPH or less Regulated by posted speed 2 limit only speed Product Sidewalks and trails; Golf courses, and in-street In-street only; usually not In-street only; usually not allowed on recreational and on trails in some allowed on recreational allowed on recreational trails for nonmotorized communities; usually not trails for nonmotorized use trails for nonmotorized use space use for people who have allowed on recreational Operating mobility impairments trails for nonmotorized use Food and Drug CPSC (considered sports DMV; some require license, DMV; most require license, Administration (as a equipment) registration, or insurance registration, and insurance medical device) and the Americans with Disabilities Regulated by Act (ADA) 4 Additional Resources PBIC Micromobility Resource Collection contains PeopleForBikes shares up-to-date information a curated and regularly updated set of links to key on Federal and local e-bike policies as well as research, resources, case studies, policy briefs, resources for e-bike retailers and people interested and webinars on the topic of micromobility. in electric mountain bikes. Powered Micromobility Committee of the SAE, State Electric Bicycle Laws - A Legislative Standard J3194, A Taxonomy and Classification Primer offers in-depth discussion of the legal of Powered Micromobility Vehicles, provides regulations that pertain to e-bikes. a set of definitions and a classification that can The American Society for Testing and Materials be used by regulators to standardize descriptions (ASTM) F2641 − 15 Standard Consumer Safety of micromobility devices (for either shared or Specification for Recreational Powered personal use). Scooters and Pocket Bikes and ASTM F2642 − How and Where Should I Ride This 15 Standard Consumer Safety Specification Thing? “Rules of The Road” for Personal for Safety Instructions and Labeling for Transportation Devices summarizes and Recreational Powered provide voluntary evaluates existing personal transportation device standards for micromobility products, including regulations across hundreds of jurisdictions scooters and pocket bikes. Underwriters and provides recommendations for State-level Laboratory (UL) often develops “Outline of regulations. Investigations” prior to the development of a voluntary standard, which typically serve as the Framework for Considering Motorized Use on initial draft of any subsequent voluntary standard. Nonmotorized Trails and Pedestrian Walkways Please see the UL 2272 Standard for Electrical provides guidance for permitting e-bikes on Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices and nonmotorized paths. Note: this framework does the UL 2849 Outline of Investigation for Electric not apply to trails funded under the Recreational Bicycles, Electrically Power Assisted Cycles, Trails Program (RTP). Under the current RTP, Electric Scooters, and Electric Motorcycles. any device with a motor, except for a motorized wheelchair, is defined as motorized. 5 Notations 1 This category includes e-skateboards;