The EUC laws vary from place to place. A legal electric unicycle can legally travel anywhere bicycles cannot. Unicycles are not permitted in certain areas.
EUCs are not subject to any specific laws. You should check your local laws to see if electric unicycles can be used on the streets. This will depend on where you live.
Some communities have banned electric unicycles and skateboards from their streets. They are becoming more popular and more laws are being made to regulate where they can legally be used.
Electric Unicycle Laws in Europe & the United Kingdom
The laws of each country are different. To learn more about the regulations in your area, you will need to search for information in the country or municipality where you reside. These laws can come in a wide variety of forms.
Electric unicycles are illegal
Electric unicycles are illegal in Germany. You may be ticketed and the vehicles may be confiscated if you ride them.
Electric Unicycles are highly regulated
Electric unicycles are allowed in Switzerland, but they must each have a small license plate. It can travel up to 20km/h. Bikers must be insured for public liability.
Unless they are 16 years of age, riders must have a valid license. This license is issued to people who turn 14 or older. It allows them to ride on the street and in bike lanes. However, pedestrian footpaths cannot be used for them.
Electric Unicycle Laws are Uncertain
The United Kingdom does not have any specific laws regarding electric unicycles.
Because there are so many laws about what constitutes a motorcycle, a police officer can legally seize your unicycle if they consider it a motor vehicle. It is technically a motor-powered vehicle, but it is still illegal to take it.
Electric Unicycle Laws in Hong Kong
For mechanically propelled vehicles, the Hong Kong government requires registration and licensing before usage. It is currently not possible to register an electric unicycle in Hong Kong. It is illegal in Hong Kong to ride an electric bicycle. This is a situation that the government in Hong Kong does not intend to change.
Electric Unicycle Laws in America
US laws sometimes govern electric unicycles the same way they govern electric bicycles. Electric bicycles are legal in most states. Helmets are required in most cases.
It may be necessary to obtain a license to ride an electric bicycle in some states, such as Alabama. These laws do not apply to personal electric vehicles. Technically, the law applies to all motorized bikes. This is also true for Alaska.
Other states, like Nevada and Kentucky, have no regulations regarding electric unicycles.
Many states like Nevada, Montana, Nebraska, and Nebraska prohibit riders from traveling more than 20 miles an hour.
There are often three classes of electric vehicles in some states. The classification is determined by the top speed at which the motor stops accelerating. These are:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
California law makes it illegal to own an electric personal vehicle that has an e-motor with more than 1,000 watts and a maximum speed of 20 mph. You can ride your personal electric vehicle in different cities according to local laws.
Residents of Hawaii must register their eVehicles at the local city hall.
New York City bans all types of PEVs, but it is believed that they are rarely issued tickets to riders.
Canada Electric Unicycle Laws
As personal electric vehicles become more common, Canadian laws have been slowly changing. Across the country, electric unicycles are available. Typically, they are paired with power-assisted bicycles. Those under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
To own an electric vehicle, you don’t need insurance or a license plate. To reduce pollution and traffic congestion, the government encourages city dwellers to purchase electric vehicles.
There are different laws for electric vehicles in each province or city.
Ontario
In Ontario, your PEV cannot exceed 32 km/h (20mph) Some electric unicycles can travel up to 30 mph, so this rule applies to them.
A vehicle must have wheels that are less than 350mm (13.8in) in diameter and wheels no narrower than 35mm (1.38in). To legally ride a personal electric vehicle, you must be at least 16 and wear a helmet.
Quebec
Quebec has been pushing electric scooters recently. It’s not clear if their strict laws regarding scooters also apply to electric unicycles. They can be used on roads with speeds of less than 50 km/h (31mph).
All scooters must have turn signals and all riders must pass a certification course. They must be at least 18 years old and have their certificate with them when they ride.
Toronto and Ottawa
Toronto recently added bike lanes to the city and banned adult cyclists from riding on sidewalks. However, electric vehicles are street-legal but are not allowed to use multi-use paths in parks.
Montreal
Montreal has outlawed shared e-scooters. After pushing them for some time, they realized that too many people were riding them without helmets or parking illegally so they banned them completely.
A private owner may lend you an electric unicycle, but in the public, they are illegal.
Conclusion
To determine if electric unicycles in your city, state, or country are street legal, you will need to check the laws. There are many laws that can be changed and they vary greatly.
Unicycles, regardless of their legality, are not the best choice for traffic.
It should be okay to ride them in quiet areas. Check to make sure that there is no ban on personal electric vehicles. These are great for riding on wide paths in public parks. Experienced riders might be able to use them on streets with designated bike lanes.
These are safety tips to help you ride your electric unicycle safely
- Buy a premium electric scooter helmet
- Wear a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads, as well as wrist guards or gloves.
- High-quality batteries are best; cheaper knock-offs could catch fire
- Look for a model that has safety features such as tilt protection or speed control
- Change your batteries regularly
- Avoid riding on roads that have a slope greater than 20 degrees
- Keep your electric unicycle out of direct sunlight and in a dry location.
- While riding, don’t listen to music through headphones
- Avoid potholes, puddles, and wet grass
- Avoid riding your electric unicycle along busy roads.
Have fun and stay safe!
