Riders of electric skateboards in California will now (beginning January 1st) have unrestricted access to bike lanes, following on the signing into law of Assembly Bill 604 by Governor Jerry Brown, according to recent reports.
The new bill, which was signed by the governor on October 11, reverses a nearly 40-year-old ban on motorized skateboards — potentially to the annoyance of bicyclists.
Those pleased with the decision should probably send some sort of thanks to Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen of Modesto, as she was apparently one of the main driving forces behind the reversal. (That’s her in the picture above).
Planetizen provides more:
“The ban was implemented in 1977 to keep noisy, gas-powered boards off the streets, but boards built today are quiet, clean and safe to ride,” according to Assemblywoman Olsen’s webpage on the bill.
Olsen’s interest was as much economically-motivated as it was in advancing the rights of skateboarders and a zero-emission form of transportation. Modesto is home to Intuitive Motion, a manufacturer of electric skateboards called ZBoards.
“My legislation updates our outdated laws to give Californians an environmentally friendly transportation option, and encourages the growth of an industry to create new jobs,” Olsen said in a statement (and in the video below). [Warning: Everyone is having lots of fun – an odd appearance at the state Capitol].
Here’s a video providing more (for those interested):
Olsen Edited pkg electric skateboard from CA Assembly GOP on Vimeo.