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Q: Which
motor-assisted scooters, mopeds, electric assisted
bicycles and personal mobility devices are legal on
public roads in Oregon?
A: To be legal on Oregon public roads, they must fit one
of the definitions in the state’s laws.
Riders must be at least 16 years old.
Use of these vehicles also may be restricted in cities,
counties, parks, bike lanes, crosswalks, sidewalks and
other locations and situations.
Mopeds must be titled and registered, but Oregon law
specifically exempts motor-assisted scooters, electric
assisted bicycles, and personal mobility devices from
title and registration requirements.
A motor-assisted
scooter:
is designed to be operated on the ground with not more
than three wheels;
has handlebars and a foot support or seat;
can be propelled by human or motor;
has a motor capable of propelling it no faster than 24
miles per hour on a level road; and
has a motor no bigger than 35 cubic centimeters or, if
electric, has a power output of no more than 1,000
watts.
(ORS 801.348)
A moped:
is designed to be operated on the ground upon wheels;
has a seat or saddle for use of the rider;
is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in
contact with the ground;
is equipped with an independent power source that is
capable of propelling the vehicle, unassisted, at a
speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on a level road
surface; and if the power source is a combustion engine,
has a piston or rotor displacement of 35.01 to 50 cubic
centimeters regardless of the number of chambers in the
power source; and
is equipped with a power drive system that functions
directly or automatically only and does not require
clutching or shifting by the operator after the system
is engaged.
A bicycle equipped with a power source may be classed as
a moped if it meets all the moped requirements and also
does not meet either the definition of an electric
assisted bicycle as defined in ORS 801.258 or a motor
assisted scooter as defined in ORS 801.348.
(ORS 801.345)
An electric
assisted bicycle:
is designed to be operated on the ground on wheels;
has a seat or saddle for use of the rider;
is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in
contact with the ground;
has both fully operative pedals for human propulsion and
an electric motor; and
is equipped with an electric motor that has a power
output of not more than 1,000 watts and is incapable of
propelling the vehicle at a speed of greater than 20
miles per hour on level ground.
(ORS 801.258)
Click below
for an interesting and authoritative article by Ray
Thomas, bike lawyer, with the law firm of Swanson,
Thomas & Coon of Portland.
Motorized Vehicle Access to
Bicycle Lanes and Paths
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