STAND. COM. REP. NO. 200

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 958

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 958 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require all bicycles equipped with motors to be operated only with all wheels on the grounds at all times, with certain exceptions;

(2) Prohibit certain actions while operating a bicycle equipped with a motor;

(3) Define "electric bicycle" and replace the term "low-speed electric bicycle" with "electric bicycle";

(4) Define "electric micro mobility device" and require the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro mobility devices;

(5) Authorize a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk at a speed not exceeding ten miles per hour;

(6) Prohibit a person from operating a bicycle, electric foot scooter, or electric micro mobility device under the age of eighteen without a helmet;

(7) Substitute the term "motor drive cycle" with the term "motor scooter"; and

(8) Appropriate funds for a coordinated education campaign on electric mobility devices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu; one member of the Honolulu City Council; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Moped Doctors.

Your Committee finds that the rapid increase in the use of electric bicycles and electric micro mobility devices has raised concerns about safety, especially regarding unsafe riding behaviors, lack of proper regulation, and the absence of clear rules for their operation on public roads. This measure will ensure safer operations of electric bicycles and similar devices by providing clear safety guidelines, registration requirements, and age restrictions.

Your Committee notes that the definition of "electric micro mobility device" should remain broad to encompass emerging motorized devices and ensure inclusivity for evolving technologies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that engaging in any other non-standing or non-standard riding position is prohibited;

(2) Prohibiting a person from operating a high-speed electric device on a public roadway, bicycle lane, and other designated areas and clarifying that a high-speed electric device does not include a moped or a motorcycle that can legally be operated on a road or street, as provided by law;

(3) Requiring manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles to apply a label containing the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle;

(4) Requiring distributors of electric bicycles to place a sign at or near the point of sale with certain wording regarding the regulation of electric bicycles and provide an electronic bicycle booklet or pamphlet with associated state laws about electric bicycles to purchaser;

(5) Clarifying the definition of "electric bicycle" and separating each class of electric bicycle as separate definitions;

(6) Inserting a weight limit of seventy-five pounds in the definition of "electric micro mobility device";

(7) Prohibiting a person under the age of fifteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle;

(8) Clarifying that any person may operate a class 1 electric bicycle or class 2 electric bicycle, regardless of age;

(9) Prohibiting a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on any sidewalk;

(10) Deleting the unspecified appropriation for the Department of Transportation to conduct a coordinated education campaign on electric mobility devices;

(11) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(12) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 958, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 958, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

DARIUS KILA, Chair