Las Vegas Sun

May 20, 2024

Bill would treat mopeds similar to motorcycles

CARSON CITY – The days of using a moped for low-cost transportation may soon be over.

The Senate has narrowly adopted an amendment to require mopeds be registered with the state and have insurance – the same as a motorcycle.

Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, said the amendment to Senate Bill 309 “will eliminate a low cost for transportation.” She complained the moped would be classified as close to a motorcycle.

But Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, said the registration fee would be $33 and the insurance would be the same as a motorcycle.

This bill, said Nolan, was sought by law enforcement and it deals mostly with electric scooters. It would require a person who drives a scooter on a highway to have a driver’s license and wear a helmet.

An electric scooter is defined in the bill as a vehicle that cannot go faster than 20 mph, has two tandem wheels and is propelled by an electric motor that produces up to 750 watts.

The vote was 11-10 in favor of the amendment.

The bill should be ready for a final vote in the Senate on Monday.

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