While they seem to be everywhere, electric skateboards are a relatively recent development. Consequently, many will want to know what the law says about these electric devices. If you are a resident or a visitor of New Jersey and wondering whether electric skateboards are legal there, you’ve come to the right place!
Yes, electric skateboards are legal in the state of new jersey. You can ride your electric skateboard on the street freely without fear of law enforcement officers. While the use of electric skateboards is legal, there are still laws that regulate their use. All electric skateboard riders are expected to obey these laws at all times. The major limitation enforced by the law is that you can’t ride on any roads with speed limits higher than 35mph (56km/hr). These roads are usually for cars and vehicles that move at much faster speeds than an electric skateboard. Hence, they are deemed to be unsafe for electric skateboard riders.
Where can you ride your electric skateboard legally?
The law
allows for the use of electric skateboards in public, but this doesn’t apply everywhere. Some places may be off-limits to electric skateboard riders. To ensure you have no legal issues, you need to know where you can ride your electric skateboard legally. Some of the places where you can ride an electric skateboard legally includes:
Bike lanes
Bike lanes are probably the best place for electric skateboard riders to ride freely and safely. The speed limits on bike lanes are relatively less than that of roads. This makes bike lanes the perfect place for you to ride your electric skateboard. There are numerous bike lanes across the state, meaning riders have no shortage of options.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks are mainly designed for pedestrians and because of that, they are somewhat perfect for electric skateboards. The only thing that you need to do is to make sure you are careful and give way to pedestrians. All vehicles are illegal on sidewalks, but electric skateboards aren’t technically vehicles. This means they can operate as long as you are careful and the pedestrian is safe.
Roads
The roads are another great option available to electric skateboard riders. The only limitation is the fact that roads with a higher speed limit than 35mph (56km/hr) are off-limits. When you are operating an electric skateboard on the road, you are expected to stick to the sides. That way, you can ride away from the cars and other vehicles, safely.
Boardwalks
Boardwalks are a tricky subject and their legality is subject to conditions. The important thing to note is that it is possible to ride an electric skateboard on the boardwalk. You simply have to treat it as a sidewalk and give pedestrians their due rights on the path.
Where can’t you ride your electric skateboard?
There are certain places where you aren’t legally allowed to ride your electric skateboard. Either in the interest of public safety or for some other reason, electric skateboards are restricted. In some cases, there are signs to indicate where you can’t ride an electric skateboard. Just in case signs don’t cover it, here are some places where you can’t ride your electric skateboard:
Parkways
Parkways are known to keep out heavy vehicles but they still aren’t electric skateboard legal. While there are no heavy vehicles here, the cars and other vehicles present operate at high speeds. This makes parkways a dangerous place for electric skateboards. Parkways also have speed limits that are over 35mph (56km/hr) making them unsafe for electric skateboards.
Avenues
Avenues have speed limits over 35mph (56km/hr) and while the difference isn’t much, it is still off-limits. With avenues serving as commercial paths, fast vehicles are operating here. With such high speeds, as an electric skateboard rider, you’ll be highly unsafe here. Thus, electric skateboards are illegal to operate on avenues.
Highways
The highway being off-limit is for the safety of electric skateboard riders. We already stated that electric skateboards are illegal on roads with speed limits over 35mph (56km/hr). With highways having higher speed limits than this, they fall into the category of off-limits. The kinds of vehicles found on highways and the speeds they operate at are too much for electric skateboards.
What does the law say regarding electric skateboard use?
As an electric skateboard rider, you are expected to know and abide by the law governing their use in Public. You can read up on the law in great detail here. Some of the highlights of the law include:
Use of helmets
The use of helmets isn’t compulsory unless the electric skateboard rider is under 17years. While it is not compulsory or a legal requirement, you are expected to wear one. It is in the interest of your safety to wear a helmet where possible. Law enforcement officers will not arrest you for not wearing one but will advise you to wear one. For those under 17 however, it may attract a fine with the price dependent on the offense number. Seeing as helmets can help prevent fatal injuries, every rider should voluntarily have one.
Age limit
The minimum age for an electric skateboarder in New jersey is 16 years. In addition to this, all riders aged 17 and under are required to wear a helmet. The requirement for riding is similar to that for diving requiring a minimum age of 16. While it isn’t technically considered a vehicle, you must be able to drive to ride on in public.
Can you ride your electric skateboard on the sidewalk?
Yes, you can ride your electric skateboard on the sidewalk, but you will need to do so cautiously. The sidewalk is first, a pedestrian pathway and as such, is supposed to be off-limits to vehicles. With electric skateboards not being technically vehicles, it creates a loophole. To ensure that their tolerance continues, riders should always give way to pedestrians. If there are better alternative locations to ride your electric skateboard, you can take them.
Do you need a license?
No, you don’t legally need a license to operate an electric skateboard. There is however the small matter of the minimum age requirement for riding an electric skateboard in public. It isn’t a coincidence that 16 also happens to be the minimum age requirement to hold a license. This probably means that anyone riding an electric skateboard should at least have a license.
Do you need insurance?
No, the law doesn’t say anything regarding electric skateboards and having insurance. Furthermore, it doesn’t seem you can get insurance for your electric skateboard if you wanted. It is however something that can prove helpful in case of a collision. Rather than having to deal with damage to property and injuries of the rider and any other parties. Insurance would normally cover these extra costs and leaving you to pay nothing. If you can get property damage insurance and medical insurance, do so as it will prove priceless.
Conclusion
The police have better things to worry about than an electric skateboard rider breaking the law. So, in most cases, they won’t bother you as you ride your electric skateboard on the streets. However to have peace of mind, obey all laws and ensure you are wearing a helmet. This way, even if they stop you, it may ask you to use a particular track. Ensure you have read and are familiar with the law, and you can present it if needed. The continued compliance with the law will likely mean that the law will continue to be favorable. Remember to ride safely and apply caution to ensure you don’t cause or are involved in any accidents.