Electric Scooter Laws in Oregon – Complete Guide 2025

Quick facts

  • Classification: Motor assisted scooter (ORS 801.348)
  • Min age: 16 years old
  • Helmet required: Yes for all riders (religious exemption allowed)
  • Max speed: 24 mph maximum capability, 15 mph operational limit
  • License/registration required: No
  • Sidewalk riding allowed: No
  • Bike lane access: Yes
  • Scooter sharing present: Yes in Portland, Eugene, Corvallis
  • Last checked: September 20, 2025

What Oregon riders need to know

Oregon developed their electric scooter framework around the “motor assisted scooter” category, creating specific rules that recognize that these are not vehicles, and should not be included with mopeds. The approach focuses heavily on bike lane integration while maintaining clear operational restrictions that keep all users protected and safe while riding.

The key thing to understand is Oregon’s unified 15 mph speed limit across all riding locations. Whether you’re in a bike lane, on a bike path, or sharing the road, your operational speed is capped at 15 mph. This creates consistency that makes compliance straightforward without guessing about different speed zones. What I love about their framework is that even if you can’t ride faster than 15 mph, you’re allowed to use a scooter that can have a top speed of up to 24 mph and a motor of 1000W or less. This gives you ample power to tackle hills and opens up the door for far more riders of various sizes.

Oregon Revised Statutes define electric scooters as “motor assisted scooters” under ORS 801.348. The operational rules are covered in ORS Chapter 814, which establishes specific performance parameters and integrates these devices into the state’s bicycle infrastructure framework.

Electric scooters are specifically exempt from registration requirements under Oregon law, treating them as a separate category from motor vehicles while maintaining specific riding regulations that focus on safety.

ORS 814.510 establishes that motor assisted scooter operators “upon a public way are subject to the provisions applicable to, and have the same rights and duties as, the operator of a bicycle,” which creates legal consistency with existing bike infrastructure.

Where you can ride

Oregon provides clear guidance about where you can ride your scooter, though local authorities have the last say.

Public roads: You can operate on highways and public roads following standard traffic regulations. The 15 mph speed limit applies everywhere, which means you’ll need to stay right and be aware of faster traffic on roads with higher speed limits.

Bike lanes: Full access to bicycle lanes.

Bike paths: Access is permitted on bicycle paths and shared use paths, though individual path managers can impose restrictions. State parks have specific authority to restrict or prohibit operation on paths within their boundaries.

Sidewalks: Operation on sidewalks is generally prohibited statewide, but Oregon allows riding “on sidewalk to enter or leave adjacent property.”

Equipment & vehicle requirements

They have set specific performance parameters for the category “motor assisted scooters” that define what qualifies under their legal framework. The law focuses on the need for additional power, while limiting the operating speed instead of forcing people to go for weaker models that aren’t as capable or fit anything above shorter leveled surface commutes.

The definition requires that you scooter has 2 wheels, are capable of no more than 24 mph, and have a motor with no more than 1000W of power.

Standard safety equipment requirements apply, including appropriate lighting for night operation and reliable braking systems.

Rider requirements

Oregon has less restrictive regulations in regards to rider requirements than other states, while still not being the least restrictive.

Age restrictions: You need to be at least 16 years of age to ride.

Helmet requirements: All riders are obligated to wear a safety helmet at all times when riding.

Licensing: No driver’s license or special permit is required for motor assisted scooter operation.

Technical specifications: Your scooter must have maximum capability of 24 mph on level ground but you still can’t ride faster than 15 mph. For electric scooters, maximum motor output is capped at 1,000 watts.

Parking, storage & riding etiquette

Since sidewalk riding is largely prohibited, parking follows general vehicle parking principles or bicycle parking. Cities with shared scooter programs typically establish designated parking areas for these devices.

Oregon cities follow similar frameworks to Portland, typically focusing on preventing sidewalk blocking and maintaining ADA accessibility.

Enforcement & penalties

Violations of motor assisted scooter regulations fall under Oregon traffic law, with specific penalties established for improper operation in ORS Chapter 814.

ORS 814.520 addresses “improper operation of motor assisted scooter in lane” as a “Class D traffic violation.” This covers violations like exceeding the 15 mph speed limit, improper road positioning, and other operational infractions.

Penalties are structured as traffic violations rather than criminal offenses, keeping consequences proportional to the violations.

DUI laws apply to motor assisted scooter operation, making impaired riding a serious legal matter similar to other vehicle operation under the influence.

Insurance & liability

Oregon doesn’t require insurance for motor assisted scooters due to their exemption from motor vehicle registration and licensing requirements under the Oregon Vehicle Code.

Personal insurance policies may provide coverage for accidents involving personal scooters, but specifics vary widely between insurance companies and policy types. So do your due diligence beforehand.

Shared scooter services maintain their own liability insurance for fleet operations, though coverage details and claim procedures vary by operator and incident type.

Local exceptions to state law

While Oregon provides a comprehensive state framework, municipalities can add their own regulations, and they do this especially to shared scooters:

Portland: Extensive shared scooter regulations through the Bureau of Transportation with permit requirements for operators, designated parking areas, and operational zone restrictions. The city also has specific rules about fleet size, distribution requirements, and seasonal operations.

Eugene: Developed regulations for shared scooter programs with University of Oregon campus integration considerations. The city coordinates with the university on operational policies and parking restrictions around campus areas.

Corvallis: Municipal ordinances address both shared and personal motor assisted scooter use around Oregon State University, with specific parking and operational requirements that reflect the concentrated student population.

Salem: As the state capital, generally follows state regulations with additional parking restrictions in government districts and around state facilities.

Special circumstances

University areas: Both University of Oregon and Oregon State University have campus specific policies that may impose additional restrictions beyond city and state regulations, particularly around high pedestrian traffic areas and dormitory districts.

State parks: ORS 814.516 gives the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department authority to “restrict or prohibit the operation of a motor assisted scooter on a bicycle lane or bicycle path in a state park,” though they cannot restrict access for disabled riders using these devices.

FAQs

Q: How old do you need to be to ride an e-scooter in Oregon?
You need to be at least 16 years of age, and all riders are obligated to wear a helmet.

Q: Do I need to register my scooter?
No, motor assisted scooters are specifically exempt from registration requirements throughout Oregon.

Q: What’s the speed limit?
15 mph everywhere you can legally ride, whether that’s bike lanes, paths, or public roads.

Q: Can I ride on bike paths?
Yes, though individual path managers and state parks can impose restrictions.

Q: Do I need insurance?
Not required under state law, though you can still be liable for damage in accidents.

Q: Can I get a DUI on a scooter?
Yes, impaired riding laws apply to electric scooters the same as other vehicles under Oregon law.

Resources & citations

Get current updates

Get updates when laws change in your state or local government through our newsletter, or choose to regularly check our states law page for current legislation.

I’ve been working with electric vehicles for over a decade across European and American markets, but in the end I’m a simple mechanic with a love for speed, not an American lawyer. This information summarizes Oregon law for informational purposes only and isn’t legal advice.

For questions about specific legal situations, especially those involving accidents or citations, consult with a local attorney familiar with Oregon traffic law and municipal ordinances in your area.

Oregon’s approach to e-scooter regulation shows what happens when lawmakers create practical frameworks that can be utilized statewide. The unified 15 mph speed limit keeps things simple, you don’t need to remember different speeds for different locations.

The focus on bike lane integration makes sense for Oregon’s cycling culture, though the statewide sidewalk prohibition can create challenges in areas with poor bike infrastructure.

The motor assisted scooter classification creates legal clarity without the bureaucratic overhead of registration and licensing requirements. And I love the fact that even though they have a 15 mph speed limitation, you can have more powerful scooters so that they can be more widely utilized.

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