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Micromobility is here to stay, and it’s changing how we experience urban life for the better. With Unagi’s membership program, you can enjoy all the benefits of a top-tier electric scooter without the sky-high price of ownership or the inconvenience of ride-sharing.
We’re excited to celebrate Unagi’s 5th Anniversary, and we want you to join the fun! To thank you for your support, we're hosting an exclusive $10,000 Airbnb giveaway. No purchase necessary—just enter for your chance to win! Hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/4/2024!
In today’s fast-paced world, finding an efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation is crucial. E-scooters offer a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate urban landscapes. Unagi stands out not only for its superior design and performance but also for its affordability and unmatched rental program.
While e-scooters have been gaining popularity due to their convenience and relatively low cost, they have been getting more attention lately for another reason: battery fires. It's important to understand the potential dangers associated with the battery technology that lies at their core.
In South Carolina, electric scooters exist in a sort of legal gray area. There's no statewide legislation that specifically addresses them.
Understand which personal electric vehicle is best, the choice between an electric bike or electric scooter might already be made for you by some critical factors, including portability and storage capacity.
If you are heading to Los Angeles to live or work, the good news is city officials have legalized the use of e scooters, but you can't ride your lightweight electric scooter wherever you like.
You need to know where and how you're expected to ride. And when to carry your scooter. Or you could face a fine of $250.
In this article... you'll find out all the do's and the don'ts of riding electric scooters in Los Angeles.
Let's check 'em out...
A lightweight electric scooter is just about everyone's cool ride of choice for the daily urban commute in 2024. That's because we're officially in the age of personal transportation, that's smart, fast and super portable.
Today, e scooters are to be seen everywhere. At the same time, reputable scooter companies, such as Unagi continue to design scooters, purpose-built for the daily urban commute.
The two main methods are:
As more people opt for the zippy speed and portability of riding electric scooters, states like California decided to upgrade its laws for micromobility and personal transportation.
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) Division 11, Article 5: Operation of Motorized Scooters was rolled out over ten years.
In 2018, the year before launch, electric scooters were temporarily banned for 6 months while California and Los Angeles city officials completed new regulations and infrastructure for safely riding electric scooters.
Research had found:
(Source: UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, 2017 -18)
At the same time, the Los Angeles County On-Demand Personal Mobility Devices Pilot Program came into force. These are regulations for the safe public use and parking of commercial hire e scooters, e bikes, and pedal cycles.
From West Hollywood and Beverley Hills to Santa Monica, and throughout Los Angeles, the California rules for riding your electric scooter now apply.
If you plan to ride an electric scooter in Los Angeles, then the California Vehicle Code (CVC) regulations apply to you.
An electric scooter is classified as a "motorized " vehicle. Therefore, under Division 11, Article 5, Operation of Motorized Scooters:
Before you start to ride your electric scooter You MUST - Have a valid driver’s license - or a learner rider's permit. But you don't need to register your electric scooter. This is because it's classified as a motorized scooter.
A motorized scooter is defined as having:
This means you can drive a motorized scooter with any class of driver’s license.
Ensure your electric scooter has:
Adequate lighting to be seen while riding in low-light conditions, including:
When riding your electric scooter you must:
*40 per cent of e scooter injuries are head injuries (UCLA Medical Center Report, Santa Monica, 2017-18).
You can also ride your electric scooter on a trail, bicycle path, bike lane or bikeway, unless a specific route is prohibited.
You must not -
PLEASE NOTE:
The 24.1 km/h (15 mph) speed limit applies even if local law permits electric scooters on roads with speed limits up to 56.3 km/h (35 mph).
If you ride an e-scooter on a road at a speed which is slower than general traffic flow, you should:
This does not apply when:
YOU MUST NOT -
You should instead, step off close to the right-hand curb to cross the road on foot. A more lightweight electric scooter, which you can easily walk - or fold and carry - definitely helps here. Especially, in the early morning/evening rush hour.
YOU MUST NOT -
You can also be charged with a DUI regardless of your BAC* if you are not driving safely and show "signs of intoxication".
*BAC stands for Blood Alcohol Content - usually refers to the number of milligrams (mg) per 100 (ml) of blood.
The law is plain and simple.
YOU MUST NOT -
Park your e scooter anywhere on any sidewalks -as it obstructs the flow of pedestrian traffic.
Leave your e scooter lying on its side on a sidewalk - observed to be a major cause of obstruction and injury to pedestrians.
If you're not riding a privately owned escooter or one rented under private subscription, such as the Unagi all access program, you've probably hired a scooter under the Los Angeles On-Demand Personal Mobility Devices Pilot Program.
The same rules generally apply when riding one of the rental scooters made available by micromobility companies on the program, including:
Riding an e scooter in West Hollywood - what you need to know
The program has been generally rolled out across California state. From areas such as West Hollywood through Culver City, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, which also covers typical beach path and trail routes.
But it's important to be aware the rules can sometimes vary slightly from city to city.
For example, in West Hollywood, shared or rented e scooter companies are prohibited from operating within city limits.
However, you can still ride an electric scooter if you:
Once again, the California regulations apply throughout but with following exceptions:
YOU MUST NOT Ride your e scooter -
YOU MUST PARK your escooter
or, if unavailable:
Dockless scooters offer either a flat rate for a 30 minute hire or a number of free minutes with a cost of $1 to $2 per ride plus tax.
A personal subscription to Unagi All Access Membership currently costs between $59 to $79 per month, depending on escooter model, and if new or refurbished.
If a law enforcement officer catches you not obeying the California code, you should expect to receive a fine for the following violations:
Riding an electric scooter in Los Angeles falls in line with the Code - in force right across the state of California. The rules - such as sticking to the speed limit, and not riding on sidewalks - are designed to keep you, pedestrians and other road users safe from accident and injury.
New technology also sees brands like Unagi continue to refine a more lean, sleek lightweight electric scooter for private use on the daily urban commute. So when you arrive at areas where you cannot legally ride, you can instantly and easily fold, and carry your scooter.
New technology also helps to control and police the On Demand Pilot Program, and its fleet of commercial hire scooters from well-known companies like Bird and Lime.
And help you avoid collecting a $250 ticket!
Find out more about Electric Scooter Regulations where you live or work
Grab yourself a lightweight electric scooter for fast, affordable Los Angeles commuting today!
In the U.S., most states don't require a license. For those that do, they usually just ask for a regular driver's license or a learner's permit.
Yes, you can bring an electric scooter on a plane, but it needs to have a lithium battery smaller than 100 watt-hours, which most don't.
Manufacturers advise against riding electric scooters in the rain. The main reasons are: water can fry the electronics, make the ride dangerous, and void your warranty.
“Is my scooter legal?” is a question many are increasingly asking. The micromobility industry is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting in the world—with promises for...in addition to abundances of the basics of time and money savings. And with this pace of innovation comes a struggle for regulation to keep up.
So, you're thinking about joining the electric scooter revolution, huh? You've seen those sleek and stylish scooters zipping around town, effortlessly gliding through traffic, and you can't help but wonder: Are electric scooters easy to ride?
In this guide, we'll break down what defines a lightweight electric scooter, why you should choose one, and the top features you should look for.
Want to get the most out of your electric scooter battery and extend your riding adventures? We've got you covered with our comprehensive guide full of maintenance tips and best practices.
*Disclaimer: Unagi, INC. has used best efforts, but does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the below findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States or internationally. Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin…
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