Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to the operation of electric and nonelectric bicycles.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 2188 would prohibit the Department of Public Safety (DPS) from prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle in an area where regular bicycles are permitted unless the area is a path that is not open to motor vehicles and has a certain natural surface tread. However, DPS or a local authority may prohibit the operation of a bicycle on a sidewalk and establish speed limits for bicycles on paths set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles. Also, it would prohibit operation of a Class 3 electric bicycle unless the person is at least 15 years old. A Class 3 electric bicycle is defined as an electric bicycle that is equipped with a motor that assists the rider only when the rider is pedaling, and with a top assisted speed of more than 20 but less than 28 miles per hour.
Additionally, this bill would require a person who manufactures or sells an electric bicycle to apply a permanent label in a prominent location that shows in Arial font and at least 9-point type: (1) whether the electric bicycle is a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3; (2) the top assisted speed; and (3) the motor wattage.
Texas Action remains neutral on HB 2188. This bill both imposes and repeals a number of regulations regarding bicycles and as a result we do not believe it promotes or harms liberty.