Mobility scooters in California: when a rider is a pedestrian

California's Vehicle Code answers the scooter question more directly than most states. It names the motorized tricycle and the motorized quadricycle, which is what a three- or four-wheel mobility scooter is, and says when the person riding one counts as a pedestrian.

That status shapes where you ride, who yields at a crosswalk and what to do on a road without a sidewalk. Here is the wording, followed by scooters that suit California's mix of travel, errands and long sunny days.

What the Vehicle Code says about riders

Vehicle Code 467(b) reads: "'Pedestrian' includes a person who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian, as specified in subdivision (a)." Subdivision (a) defines a pedestrian as "a person who is afoot or who is using" a human-powered conveyance other than a bicycle or an electric personal assistive mobility device.

The condition matters. The pedestrian status in 467(b) applies to a rider who, "by reason of physical disability," cannot otherwise get about on foot. For that rider, the pedestrian rules of the Vehicle Code apply.

Crosswalks and roads without sidewalks

At crossings, Vehicle Code 21950(a) requires that "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The duty runs both ways: under 21950(b), "No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard."

Away from towns, Vehicle Code 21956(a) says "A pedestrian shall not walk upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district otherwise than close to the pedestrian's left-hand edge of the roadway." That means facing oncoming traffic on a rural road. And Vehicle Code 21966(a) keeps pedestrians off a bicycle path or lane "where there is an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility."

Not the same as an EPAMD

Shoppers sometimes confuse mobility scooters with self-balancing devices. California's EPAMD, defined in Vehicle Code 313, is "a self-balancing, nontandem two-wheeled device." Its riders must "yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians on foot, including persons with disabilities using assistive devices" (21281.5(d)).

Hot summers, mild coast, wet winters

NOAA's California climate summary explains that a high-pressure system in summer keeps storms north of the state, "resulting in dry summers," while in winter the system moves south, "allowing storms to bring precipitation to the state." It records that "The 2015–2020 period saw the highest number of extremely hot days," and that coastal places "experience mild year-round temperatures, while inland locations experience a wider range of temperatures."

Inland riders should plan summer outings for cooler hours, keep a water bottle in the basket, and park and charge the scooter indoors rather than in a hot car or a sunny driveway. On the coast, where temperatures stay mild through the year, heat is less of a worry, though drying the seat and controls after a wet winter ride is still a good habit.

Scooters for travel and everyday errands

Three of these scooters are built to travel, by car or by plane; the fourth is a sturdier choice for daily errands close to home:

• Pride Go Go Super Portable: folds in seconds to a 12-inch depth without removing the seat and weighs 49.9 lbs with its 11.7Ah lithium-ion battery, which Pride describes as airline compliant (check with your airline first). It carries up to 300 lbs.
• Golden Buzzaround CarryOn HD: folds flat to less than 14 inches high without the seat and supports up to 400 lbs. Golden describes it as airline friendly, with removable lithium-ion batteries.
• Feather Power Scooter: 37 lbs without batteries and made to be lifted into a car, truck or SUV, then pulled along on its rear tip wheels. It supports 265 lbs and drives up to 7.5 miles.
• Pride Victory 10 4-wheel: a larger scooter for daily errands, carrying 400 lbs with up to 15.5 miles per charge and an EZ Turn 45.5 in. turning radius. Pride notes you can roll up to the table and swivel the seat.

Ability Tools in California

Ability Tools, the state AT Act program, has device lending and demonstration centers where people "can try out devices prior to purchase," and reuse centers that offer "open-ended device loans in which the borrower can keep the device for as long as it is needed" (reuse centers). The AT3 Center also lists the FreedomTech Financial Loan Program. Its Keep the Wheels Rolling repair fund takes applications from nonprofit organizations only.

Shipping a scooter to California

We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, free on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Read how we ship to California, and narrow your options with the mobility scooter fit check.

Questions about mobility scooters in California

Is a mobility scooter rider a pedestrian in California?

Vehicle Code 467(b) says "Pedestrian" includes a person "operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle" who, "by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian." A three- or four-wheel mobility scooter ridden by someone in that situation fits the definition, so pedestrian rules apply.

Do drivers have to yield to scooter riders at crosswalks?

Under Vehicle Code 21950(a), drivers must yield to a pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Riders still owe due care: 21950(b) says no pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb into the path of a vehicle so close it is an immediate hazard.

Where should I ride on a rural road with no sidewalk?

Vehicle Code 21956(a) says that outside a business or residence district, a pedestrian may walk on the roadway only "close to the pedestrian's left-hand edge of the roadway." In practice, that means riding on the left, facing oncoming traffic, and as far to the edge as is safe.

Can I take a scooter on a plane from California?

Some travel scooters are designed with that in mind. Pride describes the Go Go Super Portable's 11.7Ah battery as airline compliant, and Golden describes the Buzzaround CarryOn HD as airline friendly. Airlines set their own battery rules, so confirm with your carrier well before the trip.

Can I borrow a scooter in California before buying?

Ability Tools' device lending and demonstration centers let people try devices before purchase, with loans for up to 30 days unless otherwise arranged. Its reuse centers also offer open-ended loans of used equipment for as long as it is needed, depending on what is available.

See every model in the mobility scooter collection, try the fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• California Vehicle Code 467
• California Vehicle Code 21950
• California Vehicle Code 21956
• California Vehicle Code 21966
• California Vehicle Code 313
• California Vehicle Code 21281.5
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: California
• Ability Tools
• Ability Tools: AT Reuse Centers
• Ability Tools: Keep the Wheels Rolling Repair Fund
• AT3 Center: California
• Pride Go Go Super Portable product page
• Golden Buzzaround CarryOn HD product page
• Feather Power Scooter product page
• Pride Victory 10 4-wheel product page