8-1592b. Electric-assisted bicycles; application of traffic laws; vehicle registration, vehicle liability insurance, title certificate, license plate or driver's license not required; manufacturing requirements; location of operation; restrictions. (a) Except as specifically provided, an electric-assisted bicycle or a rider of an electric-assisted bicycle shall be afforded all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all of the duties, of a bicycle or the rider of a bicycle. An electric-assisted bicycle is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle.

(b) An electric-assisted bicycle or a person riding an electric-assisted bicycle shall not be required to maintain: (1) Vehicle liability insurance coverage; (2) a driver's license; (3) registration in accordance with article 1 of chapter 8 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto; (4) a certificate of title; or (5) a license plate. An electric-assisted bicycle shall not be considered a motor vehicle.

(c) On and after January 1, 2023, manufacturers and distributors of electric-assisted bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric-assisted bicycle. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed and motor wattage of the electric-assisted bicycle and shall be printed in Arial font in at least nine-point type.

(d) A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric-assisted bicycle in a manner that changes the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric-assisted bicycle, unless the label indicating the classification required in subsection (c) is replaced after modification.

(e) An electric-assisted bicycle shall comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements adopted by the United States consumer product safety commission, 16 C.F.R. part 1512.

(f) (1) An electric-assisted bicycle may be ridden in places where bicycles are allowed, including, but not limited to, streets, highways, roadways, bicycle lanes, bicycle or multi-use paths, trails or trail networks.

(2) This subsection shall not be construed to prevent a city, through the exercise of its home rule powers, from adopting an ordinance governing the operation of electric-assisted bicycles on streets, highways, roadways, sidewalks or sidewalk areas under the city's jurisdiction or to prevent a municipality, county or agency of the state having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path, trail or trail network from restricting or prohibiting the operation of an electric-assisted bicycle or a specific class of electric-assisted bicycle on a bicycle or multi-use path, trail or trail network.

(3) Subsection (g)(1)* shall not apply to a trail that is specifically designated as nonmotorized and that has a natural surface tread that is made by clearing and grading the native soil with no added surfacing materials. A local authority or state agency having jurisdiction over a trail described in this subsection may regulate the use of an electric-assisted bicycle on such trail.

(g) No person under 16 years of age may operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle. A person under 16 years of age may ride as a passenger on a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers.

History: L. 1980, ch. 42, § 4; L. 2000, ch. 179, § 21; L. 2022, ch. 43, § 9; July 1.