MICROMOBILITY

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.

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."  

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.   

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 2026 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’ 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)

• FHWA Micromobility
• Micromobility - Emergence of New Transporation Modes Factsheet
• Making Micromobility Smarter and Safer 
• Safety Education: Micromobility 

‘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.

• Georgia Laws Pertaining to Bicycles and Bicycling
• Bike Law Georgia - Bicycle Safety 
• LAB - Ride Better Tips 
• GoGeorgia - Bicycle Pocket Guide
• GoGeorgia - Bicycle Mini Pocket Guide
• GoGeorgia - A Kid's Guide to Smart Bicycling

‘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.

• 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?   

‘Pedestrian’ means any person afoot.  "...and shall include, without limitation, persons standing, walking, jogging, running, or otherwise on foot." (Proposed revision)

• What GA Codes Say About Pedestrians  
• GoGeorgia - Take a Walk

‘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." 

• Personal Transport Vehicles - Georgia Code Overview   
•  ANSI - National Standards for Personal Transport Vehicles 
• ANSI - National Standards for Golf Cars
• ANSI - Golf Car Safety Specifications Overview