9 ms·

California makes electric skateboards street legal

84 points by danboarder 11y ago

teddyh 11y ago
Obligatory xkcd: https://xkcd.com/139/ https://xkcd.com/139/ Also: https://xkcd.com/409/ https://xkcd.com/409/
djf1 11y ago
Link to the bill itself: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB604 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtm... Some interesting notes: -require the operator of an electrically motorized board to wear a helmet -require an operator to be at least 16 years of age
mc32 11y ago
I hope I'm wrong, but on busy bikeways, I can see cyclists feeling annoyed with the new powered interlopers. But, if it gets more people out of bigger vehicles (cars and 1000cc+ motorbikes), this should prove positive.
- mikepavone 11y ago
  In California, electric bicycles that meet certain restrictions are already allowed in all the places a normal bicycle is. If there's a tension between ordinary bicyclists and small powered vehicles in this class it should already exist. Personally, I've found pedestrians to be a much bigger annoyance than faster bikes (whether powered or otherwise) on dedicated bike/pedestrian paths.
  - etrautmann 11y ago
    or Uber drivers and taxis sitting in bike lanes...
- codezero 11y ago
  I'm much more annoyed by cars than by any other device on the road when I ride. Electric skateboards and scooters are awfully zippy and rarely cause any disruption in my ride.
- gkop 11y ago
  For what it's worth, the Boosted Boards in the bike lane on Market St in SF seem to get along pretty well with bicycles. I think it helps that they are pretty zippy and don't take up an unnecessary amount of road space (like an electric moped does). There is more of a conflict when the Boosted riders hop on the sidewalk...
  - mc32 11y ago
    I think that's a good sign. A sign we're not only shifting from car-primacy but also to welcoming other modes of transportation. Sidewalk, personally, I think they should be reserved for pedestrians primarily, with few exceptions (hand trucks, strollers, wagons, wheelbarrows, etc.)
- tlrobinson 11y ago
  Anecdotally, after riding ~1000 miles on a Boosted Board on the streets/bike lanes of SF, I've had dozens positive or neutral comments/questions from cyclists and only one negative one. Of course people tend to avoid confrontation, so that's not necessarily a good indicator of sentiment. And their opinions may change as the density of electric skateboard riders increases.
fishtoaster 11y ago
Interesting. I commute by bike in SF and see electric skateboards on the street pretty frequently– I'd assumed they were legal. Anecdotally, their speed seems like a good fit for the bike lane. I keep a pretty good pace on a bike, but still find electric skateboards occasionally passing me (especially if we're both stopped at a light, since their acceleration is a bit better than mine).
- pki 11y ago
  I usually see these - amzn.com/B00SIOZY6A, unless "electric skateboards" is referring to something else
  - harisenbon 11y ago
    While I don't mind personally, it is generally frowned upon to use affiliate links on HN. Just FYI
    - weaksauce 11y ago
      yeah especially since it sets a session cookie that leaches off anything you buy there and not just the linked product. not sure how long the cookie lasts though.
      - Stratoscope 11y ago
        If it were an affiliate link, it would do that. But it isn't, so it doesn't. See my other comment for details.
    - deleted 11y ago
      [deleted]
    - Stratoscope 11y ago
      That's not an affiliate link, it's just a plain Amazon link. It doesn't include an affiliate code. (But thank you for raising the point in case anyone else was wondering about it.) The B00SIOZY6A part is an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). I've always felt free to post plain Amazon links here, such as the canonical Amazon URL for this product: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SIOZY6A http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SIOZY6A Or the shortened URL that OP posted (but forgot to put in the http part so it wasn't clickable): http://www.amzn.com/B00SIOZY6A http://www.amzn.com/B00SIOZY6A Now if you click on that amzn.com link, you will see ref=cm_sw_su_dp in the URL, but that's not an affiliate code either, it's an Amazon ref code. Here's a Reddit discussion about Amazon URLs, affiliate tracking codes, and ref codes: https://www.reddit.com/r/amazon/comments/qim88/referral_codes_how_can_you_identify_them/ https://www.reddit.com/r/amazon/comments/qim88/referral_code... Of course, if OP is the seller of that item, it would be a different story entirely!
etrautmann 11y ago
It's unfortunate that the text of this included power and speed limit caps in the definition of an electric skateboard. It's not as if cars are defined as only moving under 65 mph and having 120 horsepower. This seems deeply myopic and it's disappointing for Boosted and others to have helped these provisions get cast into law in a state that limits future development and defines unnecessarily conservative limits on performance. "An “electrically motorized board” is any wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding that is not greater than 60 inches deep and 18 inches wide, is designed to transport only one person, and has an electric propulsion system averaging less than 1,000 watts, the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 20 miles per hour."
- bri3d 11y ago
  Low speed electric bicycles are federally limited to 750W and 20mph as well, which probably helped guide this regulatory process. I personally think a 20mph speed limit is very reasonable when regulating the use of motorized products on infrastructure shared directly with other uses (paths and bike lanes).
  - etrautmann 11y ago
    Electric boards clearly shouldn't be on sidewalks, same as bikes. I'm often stuck slowing down bikes going gently downhill because my boosted board won't go faster than 22. This becomes a safety hazard as bikes try to pass, etc. Bikes don't have separate speed limits in bike lanes and are capable of speeds much higher than 20. Ability to ride uphill is also a function of output power. This cap is fairly generous but I don't understand why its necessary at all if there's a speed restriction? It'll only limit acceleration and hill performance if there's a speed restriction.
    - bsimpson 11y ago
      They could be Volkswagened: When on a level surface, cap the speed to 20mph. When on an incline, turbo mode!
johngalt 11y ago
OT: I've always wondered if powered mini-transportation tools like electric boards and scooters could fix the gaps in mass transit. Make it so that stops are less frequent/further apart, with the assumption that the last few miles can be covered on your personal device. Instead of buses that have to stop every block, they just run express service between major hubs. Individuals only have to own/maintain only a <$1000 electric scooter with zero emissions. While the big expensive bus is a pooled resource.
- ghostfish 11y ago
  It's certainly a possible solution to the last mile problem, and one I've considered using myself, but the issue is what do you do with your transport once you arrive at your destination? If your destination is a home or office, you can just take it inside, but what about a bar or restaurant? Leaving a bicycle outside is an invitation for theft and it's certainly too large to bring inside. Even a longboard isn't exactly simple to tuck under the bar or lean on your table.
  - bestnameever 11y ago
    Something like a folding bike could work.
- seanp2k2 11y ago
  Some people can't afford a TI-83 for their children if it's a requirement in math class. To assume that everyone taking public transit wants / needs / is able to afford even a $300 device to get them the last mile seems a bit out of touch with the typical mass-transit-dependent demographic.
  - gkop 11y ago
    OT: TI-83 should cost < $20 by now, based on costs of materials and that the r&d has been paid off for years.
    - thaumasiotes 11y ago
Shish2k 11y ago
Meanwhile in England, a law from 1835 has recently been used to declare them illegal :( http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/12/uk-hoverboard-crackdown-all-you-need-to-know http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/12/uk-hoverboard...
- Symbiote 11y ago
  The only people I've seen using them in England have been doing so very inconsiderately, so I'm happy with this ruling. England can't even provide safe cycling infrastructure, let's at least keep the pavements safe for walking.
  - dazc 11y ago
    "The only people I've seen using them in England have been doing so very inconsiderately..." It always seems to be a busy High Street where they can get the most attention. But since they obviously know there is absolutely no chance of being prosecuted they will carry on regardless.
madaxe_again 11y ago
Over here in airstrip one, if it doesn't belch fumes, it's illegal. All patriotic transport methods allow you to enrich the cabinet and their families by paying Road tax, fuel duty, and of course by buying lovely oil from them. Seriously, the only place you're allowed to use a scooter here is in your own home, and even then, your neighbours will call the police because your living room is a public Street if we say it is, sonny. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/12/hoverboards-illegal-pavements-roads-scooters http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/12/hoverboard...
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
- beeboop 11y ago
  Gas powered bicycles are illegal in many places where all-electric bicycles are legal. I doubt the correlation to oil usage is really there.

84 points by danboarder 11y ago

Obligatory xkcd: https://xkcd.com/139/ https://xkcd.com/139/ Also: https://xkcd.com/409/ https://xkcd.com/409/

djf1 11y ago

Link to the bill itself: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB604 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtm... Some interesting notes: -require the operator of an electrically motorized board to wear a helmet -require an operator to be at least 16 years of age

mc32 11y ago

I hope I'm wrong, but on busy bikeways, I can see cyclists feeling annoyed with the new powered interlopers. But, if it gets more people out of bigger vehicles (cars and 1000cc+ motorbikes), this should prove positive.

mikepavone 11y ago
In California, electric bicycles that meet certain restrictions are already allowed in all the places a normal bicycle is. If there's a tension between ordinary bicyclists and small powered vehicles in this class it should already exist. Personally, I've found pedestrians to be a much bigger annoyance than faster bikes (whether powered or otherwise) on dedicated bike/pedestrian paths.
- etrautmann 11y ago
  or Uber drivers and taxis sitting in bike lanes...
codezero 11y ago
I'm much more annoyed by cars than by any other device on the road when I ride. Electric skateboards and scooters are awfully zippy and rarely cause any disruption in my ride.
gkop 11y ago
For what it's worth, the Boosted Boards in the bike lane on Market St in SF seem to get along pretty well with bicycles. I think it helps that they are pretty zippy and don't take up an unnecessary amount of road space (like an electric moped does). There is more of a conflict when the Boosted riders hop on the sidewalk...
- mc32 11y ago
  I think that's a good sign. A sign we're not only shifting from car-primacy but also to welcoming other modes of transportation. Sidewalk, personally, I think they should be reserved for pedestrians primarily, with few exceptions (hand trucks, strollers, wagons, wheelbarrows, etc.)
tlrobinson 11y ago
Anecdotally, after riding ~1000 miles on a Boosted Board on the streets/bike lanes of SF, I've had dozens positive or neutral comments/questions from cyclists and only one negative one. Of course people tend to avoid confrontation, so that's not necessarily a good indicator of sentiment. And their opinions may change as the density of electric skateboard riders increases.

fishtoaster 11y ago

Interesting. I commute by bike in SF and see electric skateboards on the street pretty frequently– I'd assumed they were legal. Anecdotally, their speed seems like a good fit for the bike lane. I keep a pretty good pace on a bike, but still find electric skateboards occasionally passing me (especially if we're both stopped at a light, since their acceleration is a bit better than mine).

pki 11y ago
I usually see these - amzn.com/B00SIOZY6A, unless "electric skateboards" is referring to something else
- harisenbon 11y ago
  While I don't mind personally, it is generally frowned upon to use affiliate links on HN. Just FYI
  - weaksauce 11y ago
    yeah especially since it sets a session cookie that leaches off anything you buy there and not just the linked product. not sure how long the cookie lasts though.
    - Stratoscope 11y ago
      If it were an affiliate link, it would do that. But it isn't, so it doesn't. See my other comment for details.
  - deleted 11y ago
    [deleted]
  - Stratoscope 11y ago
    That's not an affiliate link, it's just a plain Amazon link. It doesn't include an affiliate code. (But thank you for raising the point in case anyone else was wondering about it.) The B00SIOZY6A part is an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). I've always felt free to post plain Amazon links here, such as the canonical Amazon URL for this product: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SIOZY6A http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SIOZY6A Or the shortened URL that OP posted (but forgot to put in the http part so it wasn't clickable): http://www.amzn.com/B00SIOZY6A http://www.amzn.com/B00SIOZY6A Now if you click on that amzn.com link, you will see ref=cm_sw_su_dp in the URL, but that's not an affiliate code either, it's an Amazon ref code. Here's a Reddit discussion about Amazon URLs, affiliate tracking codes, and ref codes: https://www.reddit.com/r/amazon/comments/qim88/referral_codes_how_can_you_identify_them/ https://www.reddit.com/r/amazon/comments/qim88/referral_code... Of course, if OP is the seller of that item, it would be a different story entirely!

etrautmann 11y ago

It's unfortunate that the text of this included power and speed limit caps in the definition of an electric skateboard. It's not as if cars are defined as only moving under 65 mph and having 120 horsepower. This seems deeply myopic and it's disappointing for Boosted and others to have helped these provisions get cast into law in a state that limits future development and defines unnecessarily conservative limits on performance. "An “electrically motorized board” is any wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding that is not greater than 60 inches deep and 18 inches wide, is designed to transport only one person, and has an electric propulsion system averaging less than 1,000 watts, the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 20 miles per hour."

bri3d 11y ago
Low speed electric bicycles are federally limited to 750W and 20mph as well, which probably helped guide this regulatory process. I personally think a 20mph speed limit is very reasonable when regulating the use of motorized products on infrastructure shared directly with other uses (paths and bike lanes).
- etrautmann 11y ago
  Electric boards clearly shouldn't be on sidewalks, same as bikes. I'm often stuck slowing down bikes going gently downhill because my boosted board won't go faster than 22. This becomes a safety hazard as bikes try to pass, etc. Bikes don't have separate speed limits in bike lanes and are capable of speeds much higher than 20. Ability to ride uphill is also a function of output power. This cap is fairly generous but I don't understand why its necessary at all if there's a speed restriction? It'll only limit acceleration and hill performance if there's a speed restriction.
  - bsimpson 11y ago
    They could be Volkswagened: When on a level surface, cap the speed to 20mph. When on an incline, turbo mode!

johngalt 11y ago

OT: I've always wondered if powered mini-transportation tools like electric boards and scooters could fix the gaps in mass transit. Make it so that stops are less frequent/further apart, with the assumption that the last few miles can be covered on your personal device. Instead of buses that have to stop every block, they just run express service between major hubs. Individuals only have to own/maintain only a <$1000 electric scooter with zero emissions. While the big expensive bus is a pooled resource.

ghostfish 11y ago
It's certainly a possible solution to the last mile problem, and one I've considered using myself, but the issue is what do you do with your transport once you arrive at your destination? If your destination is a home or office, you can just take it inside, but what about a bar or restaurant? Leaving a bicycle outside is an invitation for theft and it's certainly too large to bring inside. Even a longboard isn't exactly simple to tuck under the bar or lean on your table.
- bestnameever 11y ago
  Something like a folding bike could work.
seanp2k2 11y ago
Some people can't afford a TI-83 for their children if it's a requirement in math class. To assume that everyone taking public transit wants / needs / is able to afford even a $300 device to get them the last mile seems a bit out of touch with the typical mass-transit-dependent demographic.
- gkop 11y ago
  OT: TI-83 should cost < $20 by now, based on costs of materials and that the r&d has been paid off for years.
  - thaumasiotes 11y ago

Shish2k 11y ago

Meanwhile in England, a law from 1835 has recently been used to declare them illegal :( http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/12/uk-hoverboard-crackdown-all-you-need-to-know http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/12/uk-hoverboard...

Symbiote 11y ago
The only people I've seen using them in England have been doing so very inconsiderately, so I'm happy with this ruling. England can't even provide safe cycling infrastructure, let's at least keep the pavements safe for walking.
- dazc 11y ago
  "The only people I've seen using them in England have been doing so very inconsiderately..." It always seems to be a busy High Street where they can get the most attention. But since they obviously know there is absolutely no chance of being prosecuted they will carry on regardless.

madaxe_again 11y ago

Over here in airstrip one, if it doesn't belch fumes, it's illegal. All patriotic transport methods allow you to enrich the cabinet and their families by paying Road tax, fuel duty, and of course by buying lovely oil from them. Seriously, the only place you're allowed to use a scooter here is in your own home, and even then, your neighbours will call the police because your living room is a public Street if we say it is, sonny. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/12/hoverboards-illegal-pavements-roads-scooters http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/12/hoverboard...

deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
beeboop 11y ago
Gas powered bicycles are illegal in many places where all-electric bicycles are legal. I doubt the correlation to oil usage is really there.