Electric scooter bill heads to the Governors desk

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Electric scooters like those now available for rent in Louisville will be regulated by Kentucky law under a bill that will soon be delivered to the governor for his signature.

House Bill 258, would both define and set operating standards for “electric low-speed scooters”—or e-scooters, like the Bird-brand scooters that have been available for rent via a phone app in Louisville since last year. Similar rentals are available in more than 100 cities worldwide.

The bill would allow e-scooters to legally operate much like bicycles on public streets and bicycle paths while limiting speeds to 20 mph and set a minimum e-scooter rider age of 16.

Proponents of the bill who spoke on HB 258 before the House Transportation Committee on February 12th said the measure would not prevent local governments from further regulating e-scooters.

HB 258 passed the Senate 36-0 last week.