GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 514 2020 Regular Session Willard
TRANSPORTATION: Provides relative to electric-assisted bicycles
DIGEST
Present law provides definitions related to motor vehicles and traffic regulations.
Present law defines "bicycle" as every device upon which any person may ride, propelled
exclusively by human power, and having one or more wheels.
Proposed law modifies the definition of "bicycle" from every device upon which any person
may ride to every device upon which any person or persons may ride when the design
accommodates passengers. Proposed law modifies the definition of "bicycle" from a device
having one or more wheels to a device having a saddle or seat for each rider and two tandem
wheels, either of which is 16 inches or more in diameter, or three wheels, any one of which
is 20 inches or more in diameter.
Proposed law defines an "electric-assisted bicycle" as every bicycle upon which any person
or persons, when the design accommodates passengers, may ride, having a saddle or seat for
each rider and having two tandem wheels, either of which is 16 inches or more in diameter,
or three wheels, any of which is 20 inches or more in diameter, equipped with fully operable
pedals, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that meets the requirement of either a
Class one electric-assisted bicycle, a Class two electric-assisted bicycle, or a Class three
electric-assisted bicycle.
Proposed law defines a "Class one electric-assisted bicycle" as an electric-assisted bicycle
equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases
to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph.
Proposed law defines a "Class two electric-assisted bicycle" as an electric-assisted bicycle
equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable
of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph.
Proposed law defines a "Class three electric-assisted bicycle" as an electric-assisted bicycle
equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases
to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 mph.
Present law defines a "motorcycle" as every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use
of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.
Present law excludes a tractor and a motorized bicycle from the definition of a motorcycle.
Proposed law adds an exclusion for an "electric-assisted bicycle" to the definition of a
motorcycle.
Present law defines "motor vehicle" as every vehicle which is self-propelled and every
vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not
operated upon rails. Present law excludes a motorized bicycle from the definition of a motor
vehicle.
Proposed law adds an exclusion for an "electric-assisted bicycle" to the definition of "motor
vehicle".
Present law defines "motorized bicycle" as a pedal bicycle which may be propelled by human
power or helper motor, or by both, with a motor rated no more than one and one-half brake
horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, an automatic
transmission, and which produces a maximum design speed of 25 mph on a flat surface.
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Prepared by Xavier Alexander. Proposed law adds an exclusion for an "electric-assisted bicycle" to the definition of a
"motorized bicycle".
Present law authorizes the use of a motorized bicycle in a bicycle lane when the driver travels
at a reasonable or prudent speed, has due regard for visibility, traffic conditions, and the
condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane, and in a manner which does not
endanger the safety of bicyclists.
Proposed law also authorizes the use of an electric-assisted bicycle in a bicycle lane when
the driver travels at a reasonable or prudent speed, has due regard for visibility, traffic
conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane, and in a manner
which does not endanger the safety of bicyclists.
Proposed law requires electric-assisted bicycles or an operator of an electric-assisted bicycle
to be afforded all the rights, privileges, and duties of a bicycle or the operator of a bicycle.
An electric-assisted bicycle is considered a vehicle in the same regards as a bicycle.
Proposed law requires manufacturers and distributors of electric-assisted bicycles to apply
a label permanently affixed in a prominent location to each electric-assisted bicycle.
Proposed law requires the label contain the classification number, top-assisted speed, and
motor wattage of the electric-assisted bicycle.
Proposed law prohibits a person from tampering with or modifying an electric-assisted
bicycle so as to change its classification, unless the manufacturer's label indicating its
classification is appropriately replaced.
Proposed law authorizes a "Class one electric-assisted bicycle" or "Class two electric-assisted
bicycle" to operate on a permitted bicycle or shared-use trail. Proposed law authorizes the
local municipal authority, local parish authority, or state agency having jurisdiction over a
bicycle or shared-use trail to prohibit the operation of a "Class one electric-assisted bicycle"
or "Class two electric-assisted bicycle" on a permitted bicycle or shared-use trail.
Proposed law prohibits a Class three electric-assisted bicycle from operating on a bicycle or
shared-use trail unless within or adjacent to a highway or roadway, or unless the local
municipal authority, local parish authority, or state agency having jurisdiction over the trail
permits this operation.
Proposed law prohibits a person under the age of 12 from operating a "Class three electric-
assisted bicycle". Proposed law authorizes a person under the age of 12 to ride as a passenger
on a "Class three electric-assisted bicycle" designed to accommodate passengers.
Proposed law requires all operators and passengers of Class three electric-assisted bicycles
to wear an approved bicycle helmet.
Proposed law requires Class three electric-assisted bicycles be equipped with a speedometer
that displays the speed in mph.
Effective August 1, 2020.
(Amends R.S. 32:1(4), (38), (40), and (41) and 203(C), 401(17), (19), and (20), 851(5),
1252(1) and (30); Adds R.S. 32:1(95) and 204)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation,
Highways, and Public Works to the engrossed bill
1. Expands definition of bicycle and electric-assisted bicycle.
2. Adds equipment and manufacturer requirements.
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Prepared by Xavier Alexander. 3. Changes the age to operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle to 12 years of
age.
4. Provides that an electric-assisted bicycle can be ridden in the same place as
a bicycle.
5. Makes technical changes.
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Prepared by Xavier Alexander.