Age Restrictions for Electric Scooters: What You Need to Know

Electric scooter age restrictions vary significantly by jurisdiction, ranging from no minimum age requirement to 18+ restrictions in certain areas. Understanding these regulations is crucial for legal compliance, insurance coverage, and safety considerations. This comprehensive guide examines age restrictions across different regions, explains the rationale behind age limits, and provides guidance for parents, young riders, and adults navigating the legal landscape.

United States: State and Local Variations

The United States lacks federal electric scooter age regulations, resulting in a patchwork of state and local laws:

Common Age Requirements by State

• No minimum age: Several states including Texas, Florida, Arizona (with parental supervision for under-12)


• 12+ years: Some municipalities within various states


• 14+ years: Parts of Illinois, Washington State


• 16+ years: California (for motorized scooters on roads), Michigan, Pennsylvania


• 18+ years: Some college campuses and private property restrictions

California (Detailed Example)

California Vehicle Code Section 21235 establishes comprehensive requirements:

• Minimum age: 16 years for operation on public roads and bike lanes


• Driver's license: Not required, but riders must have valid ID


• Helmet requirement: Mandatory for riders under 18


• Private property: Age restrictions may not apply on private property with owner permission


• Shared scooters: Rental companies like Bird and Lime require users to be 18+ and have valid driver's license

New York (Detailed Example)

New York legalized electric scooters statewide in 2020:

• Minimum age: 16 years old


• Helmet requirement: Mandatory for riders 16-17; optional for 18+


• License requirement: Valid driver's license, permit, or non-driver ID


• Local variations: New York City has additional regulations including 18+ for rental scooters

Florida (Detailed Example)

Florida maintains relatively permissive regulations:

• No statewide minimum age for personal scooters


• Local ordinances: Cities may impose age restrictions (Tampa requires 16+)


• Helmet: Not required by state law but recommended


• Shared scooters: Rental companies require 18+ with valid license

European Union and UK Regulations

United Kingdom

• Private e-scooters: Illegal on public roads (only legal on private land); no age restriction for private use


• Rental scooters (trial programs): Minimum age 18, valid driver's license required


• Helmet: Not legally required but strongly recommended


• Future regulations: Government considering legalization with likely 16+ age requirement

Germany

• Minimum age: 14 years (as of 2019 legalization)


• License: Not required


• Insurance: Mandatory liability insurance


• Helmet: Not legally required


• Speed limit: 20 km/h (12.4 mph) maximum

France

• Minimum age: 12 years (since 2019)


• 14+ to ride on roads where bike lanes unavailable


• Helmet: Not required but recommended


• License: Not required for speeds up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph)


• Insurance: Civil liability insurance required

Spain

• Age requirements: Set by municipalities; typically 15-16 years minimum


• Madrid: 15+ years


• Barcelona: 16+ years


• Helmet: Required in some cities, not others

Asia-Pacific Regulations

Australia

Regulations vary by state/territory:

• Queensland: 16+ years, no helmet required


• New South Wales: No age restriction for private property; public use varies by local government


• Victoria: 18+ for rental scooters; private use has no statewide age minimum


• ACT (Canberra): 16+ years

Singapore

• Minimum age: 16 years for riding on cycling paths


• Registration: Required for devices capable of speeds over 25 km/h


• Theory test: May be required for higher-powered devices


• Sidewalks: Banned since 2019

Japan

• Classification: E-scooters over 600W considered motor vehicles


• Minimum age: 16+ with license for motorized scooters


• Under 600W: May not require license depending on local regulations


• Helmet: Required for licensed motor vehicles

Shared Scooter Company Requirements

Private scooter-sharing companies impose their own age restrictions:

• Bird: 18+ years, valid driver's license or state ID


• Lime: 18+ years, valid driver's license


• Spin: 18+ years, valid government-issued ID


• Lyft Scooters: 18+ years, valid driver's license


• Voi (Europe): 18+ years (some locations 15+)

These requirements stem from liability concerns, insurance requirements, and legal agreements with cities. Riders under 18 cannot legally rent from these services even in jurisdictions with lower age minimums for personal scooters.

Private Property and Park Regulations

Age restrictions differ on non-public property:

• Private property: Owner sets rules; public age restrictions typically don't apply


• Shopping centers/malls: Usually prohibit scooters entirely regardless of age


• Parks: Local park departments set policies; often 14-16+ minimum or parental supervision required


• College campuses: Typically 18+ (students only) or banned entirely


• Theme parks: Generally prohibit personal e-scooters; age varies for rental scooters

Manufacturer Age Recommendations

Scooter manufacturers provide age guidance regardless of legal requirements:

Kids' Electric Scooters

• Razor E100: Ages 8+ (max speed 10 mph)


• Razor E200: Ages 13+ (max speed 12 mph)


• Segway Ninebot eKickScooter ZING: Ages 6-12 (max speed 10 mph)


• Gotrax GKS: Ages 6-12 (max speed 7.5 mph)

Teen/Adult Scooters

• Xiaomi Mi M365: 16+ recommended


• Segway Ninebot Max: 16+ recommended


• Performance scooters (40+ mph): 18+ strongly recommended regardless of laws

These recommendations consider physical development, judgment maturity, and traffic awareness needed to safely operate each model.

Rationale Behind Age Restrictions

Jurisdictions establish age minimums based on several factors:

Safety Concerns

• Traffic awareness: Younger children lack experience judging vehicle speeds and distances


• Decision-making: Adolescent brains still developing impulse control and risk assessment


• Physical development: Balance, coordination, and strength improve with age


• Injury statistics: Data shows higher injury rates among younger, inexperienced riders

Liability Considerations

• Legal responsibility: Minors cannot be held legally liable in same manner as adults


• Insurance coverage: Many policies don't cover riders under certain ages


• Parental responsibility: Parents bear liability for minor children's actions


• Municipal risk: Cities limit exposure to lawsuits involving minors

Traffic Integration

• Road rules comprehension: Older riders better understand traffic laws


• Defensive riding: Experience and maturity improve hazard perception


• Communication: Older riders more effectively signal intentions and interact with drivers

Parental Guidance for Young Riders

Even where legally permitted, parents should consider these factors before allowing children to ride:

Readiness Assessment

• Physical ability: Can child reach controls comfortably and maintain balance?


• Maturity level: Does child follow rules and show good judgment?


• Traffic knowledge: Can child identify and respond appropriately to traffic situations?


• Local environment: Are safe riding areas available away from heavy traffic?

Supervised Introduction

• Begin in safe, enclosed areas (empty parking lots, quiet cul-de-sacs)


• Practice starting, stopping, and turning at low speeds


• Teach defensive riding principles before allowing street riding


• Accompany young riders until confident in their abilities


• Gradually increase difficulty of riding environments

Essential Safety Equipment

• Helmet: Always required regardless of legal requirements (CPSC-certified minimum)


• Elbow and knee pads: Recommended for beginners and riders under 12


• Wrist guards: Protect against common fall injuries


• Closed-toe shoes: Never sandals or flip-flops


• Bright/reflective clothing: Improve visibility to drivers

Rules for Young Riders

• No riding after dark without adult supervision


• Stay on designated paths; avoid roads with traffic


• Always wear helmet and protective gear


• No passengers or tricks/stunts


• Respect pedestrians and give right of way


• Never exceed speed capabilities or comfort level


• Check scooter condition before each ride

Enforcement and Penalties

Consequences for violating age restrictions vary:

• Warnings: First offenses often result in warnings and confiscation until parent retrieval


• Fines: $50-$250 typical for age restriction violations


• Parental liability: Parents may be fined for allowing underage riding


• Scooter confiscation: May require parent retrieval and fine payment


• Insurance implications: Violations may affect family insurance rates

Enforcement varies widely; some jurisdictions rarely enforce age rules, while others actively patrol and cite violations.

Insurance Considerations

Age significantly affects insurance coverage:

• Homeowner's/renter's insurance: May cover liability for minor children's scooter incidents


• Age exclusions: Some policies exclude coverage for riders under 16 or 18


• Verification requirement: Insurer may require proof rider meets minimum age


• Rental scooters: Riders under 18 cannot legally rent, avoiding insurance gaps


• Standalone policies: Specialized e-scooter insurance typically requires rider be 18+

Future Regulatory Trends

Age restriction regulations continue evolving:

• Standardization efforts: Industry groups pushing for consistent national standards


• Graduated licensing: Some propose tiered systems (e.g., 12+ for low-speed, 16+ for full-speed)


• Safety training requirements: Potential mandatory training courses for young riders


• Technology solutions: Scooters with GPS-based age verification and speed limiting


• Data-driven policy: Injury statistics informing evidence-based age regulations

How to Check Your Local Regulations

To determine age requirements in your area:

• City/county website: Check municipal code sections on "micromobility" or "electric scooters"


• State DMV/DOT: State departments of motor vehicles or transportation publish vehicle regulations


• Local police department: Can clarify enforcement priorities and specific regulations


• Scooter shops: Local retailers familiar with area regulations


• Online resources: Websites like PeopleForBikes maintain state-by-state guides

General Recommendations

Regardless of legal minimums, these age-based recommendations promote safety:

• Under 8 years: Kick scooters only; not ready for motorized scooters


• 8-12 years: Low-speed kids' models (under 10 mph) with parental supervision


• 13-15 years: Mid-speed scooters (12-15 mph) with safety training; supervised street riding


• 16-17 years: Full-speed models acceptable with training; independent street riding in appropriate conditions


• 18+ years: All models; individual responsibility for safety and legal compliance

Electric scooter age restrictions reflect the balance between enabling youth mobility and protecting public safety. While regulations vary widely across jurisdictions, the underlying principle remains consistent: riders should possess the physical abilities, judgment, and traffic awareness necessary to operate scooters safely. Parents bear responsibility for assessing whether their children are ready to ride, regardless of legal minimums. As the electric scooter industry matures, expect continued regulatory evolution toward evidence-based policies that promote both accessibility and safety across all age groups.