MICROMOBILITY
MICROMOBILITY TRAFFIC SAFETY FOR GEORGIA
It's time for the Georgia Legislature to pass bills necessary and required to update the Georgia Code to address traffic safety issues for all micromobility devices and vehicles.
For the remaining 2026 session, Bike-Walk Fayette has submitted a proposed "eMoto" bill that will define dirt bikes and electric motorcycles, and clarify what is not permitted to be called an electric assisted bicycle in Georgia.
For the 2027-2028 session, Bike-Walk Georgia has proposed the "Micromobility Traffic Safety Act." This is enabling legislative - if passed into law - that will finally identify all the devices and vehicles in the "bicycle spaces," and permit our local jurisdictions to set and enforce speed limits on shared use paths. This new authority is critical to restoring path safety for all users who are concerned about out-of-control speeding devices and vehicles.
Micromobility Traffic Safety Act Overview - 23JAN26 (pdf)
DownloadMicromobility Opportunities
GROWING ACTIVE MODE NETWORKS
Georgia communities are installing bicycle lanes, shared use paths and trails at a rapid pace. Residents and businesses are increasingly using micromobility devices or alternative modes of transportation to reach work and recreation destinations. This is positively improving quality of life and reducing highway traffic congestion.
THE ELECTRIC MOTOR REVOLUTION
Significant technology improvements in electric motors and increased battery life have led to rapid innovations and capabilities for micromobility devices. New consumer and commercial vehicle offerings are redefining what might be possible for "active" or "alternative modes."
CONFLICTS, GAPS AND CONTROL MEASURES
Local governments, businesses and residents alike do not know what micromobility devices and vehicles should be permissible to operate or what traffic and safety equipment laws should apply. Some devices, especially electric motor equipped motorcycles, dirt bikes and scooters can greatly exceed acceptable speeds on the active mode networks and streets, causing safety concerns to pedestrians and other vehicle drivers. Local governments cannot presently employ traditional speed management tools such as establishing speed limits and law enforcement on shared use paths.
MODERNIZE THE GEORGIA CODE
Updates to the Georgia Code Title 40 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic are required to integrate the new micromobility devices and provide traffic safety for all residents. The Georgia Legislature should pass enabling legislation in 2027 to:
- Add definitions for micromobility devices and vehicles
- Assign micromobility devices and vehicles to applicable traffic law and safety equipment
- Allow local jurisdictions to establish and enforce speed limits on shared use paths and parks, and decrease urban or neighborhood street speed limits as required
- Add active mode infrastructure terms and planning
- Update vehicle driver training materials to add micromobility traffic safety education
MICROMOBILITY TRANSPORTATION
‘Micromobility’ means small, light-weight devices that typically carry a single rider and are either human-powered, electric-powered or a mix of both. (Proposed Definition)
ADAPTIVE CYCLES & MOBILITY DEVICES
‘Adaptive cycle’ means every device propelled by human or electric power upon which any person may ride, having one or more wheels. Adaptive cycles include unicycles, upright tricycles, semi-recumbents, tandems, and handcycles, each equipped with special seating, footplates, or headrests to ensure safe, comfortable, and accessible riding for people of all abilities.(Proposed Definition)
BICYCLES & ELECTRIC ASSISTED BICYCLES
BICYCLES
‘Bicycle’ means every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having only two wheels which are in tandem and either of which is more than 13 inches in diameter.
RESOURCES
ELECTRIC BICYCLES
‘Electric assisted bicycle’ means a device with two or three wheels which has a saddle and fully operative pedals for human propulsion and also has an electric motor having a power output of not more than 750 watts.
RESOUCES FOR ELECTRIC BICYCLES
- PeopleForBikes "Electric Bicycle" Model Law
- Georgia's Electric Bike Law
- GoGeorgia -E-Bikes in Georgia
- The World of Electric Bikes
- E-Bike Smart - Your Guide to Safe Riding
- Use Designation of Class 1 E-Bike Impacts (Mountain Bikes)
- Summary of Electric and Non-Powered Bicycle Standards
- Should you buy your kid an e-bike?
- CHOC research finds severity of e-bike pediatric orthopedic injuries comparable to motor vehicle accidents
- Electric Bikes Are Emerging as Public Health Hazard
E-MOTO / ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES & DIRT BIKES
‘eMoto’ means a high-performance electric motorized cycle, with either footpads or pedals, designed by the manufacturer for highway use and which exceeds the Georgia Code electric assisted bicycle classifications requiring it to be registered and operated as a motorcycle. (Proposed Definition)
‘Dirt-bike’ means any electric or gasoline powered motorized two-wheel vehicle with footpads or with pedals of any size designed for or capable of cross-country travel and not intended for use predominantly on public roads. Does not include an electric bicycle. (Proposed Definition)
RESOURCES
- Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations - Motorcycles
- PeopleForBikes "EMoto" Model Legislation
- The E-Bike Problem is an E-Moto Problem
- The Hidden Dangers of Illegal E-Moto
- Solutions to the E-moto Problem
- Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles (OCEV)
- Out-Of-Class No-Man's Land
- Electric motors hurt mountain biking, but we’re not talking e-bikes: e-motos are the problem
PEDAL ASSIST ELECTRIC VEHICLES (PA-EV)
‘Pedal-assist electric vehicle’ or ‘PA-EV’ means a lightweight, open or enclosed electric vehicle with three or more wheels with manual pedal assist for human propulsion. (Proposed Definition)
PERSONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLES (PEV)
‘Personal electric vehicles” or “PEV’ means a single-person electric vehicle with a self-balancing gyroscopic system comprising a one- or two-wheeled or more platform on which the rider stands. This includes electric unicycles, hoverboards, onewheel scooters and electric skateboards having an electric propulsion system with a maximum speed of less than 20 miles per hour. (Proposed Definition)
PEDESTRIANS
‘Pedestrian’ means any person afoot. "...and shall include, without limitation, persons standing, walking, jogging, running, or otherwise on foot." (Proposed revision)
PERSONAL TRANSPORT VEHICLES (PTV)
‘Personal transportation vehicle’ or "PTV" means any motor vehicle having no fewer than three wheels and an unladen weight of 1,300 pounds or less and which cannot operate at more than 20 miles per hour if such vehicle was authorized to operate on local roads by a local authority prior to January 1, 2012. May also be referred to as "motorized carts."
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