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(Mar. 19) – Rep. Alex Valdez and Rep. James Coleman’s bill to more properly regulate electric scooters passed the House Transportation and Local Government Committee with bipartisan support.
“It’s time for Colorado to consider these scooters as an effective mode of transportation,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “We need to include them in our larger strategy for better, more accessible transportation in our communities.”
HB19-1221 will remove the current definition of electric scooters as toy vehicles and add them to the definition of motor vehicles. Through this, e-scooters can be used on roadways and will be regulated similarly to electric-assisted bicycles.
“These scooters aren’t going away anytime soon, so it’s time we embrace them and help keep riders and pedestrians safe,” said Rep. James Coleman, D-Denver.
According to a report from Denver Public Works, e-scooters have already traveled almost one million miles around Denver and could be headed to other communities in the future. Scooters also have the potential to reduce carbon pollution emissions.
HB19-1221 passed by a bipartisan vote of 9-2. The bill now heads to the House floor.