Mobility scooters in Maine: pedestrian rules and winter riding

Maine's motor vehicle title has a definition that answers the first question most new scooter riders ask. A "pedestrian," it says, means "a person on foot or an operator of a wheelchair or a 4-wheeled or 3-wheeled motorized wheelchair." The same title separately defines a "motorized scooter," and that second definition is not about mobility devices at all.

Sorting out those two terms, and knowing the sidewalk and crossing rules that follow, makes riding in Portland, Bangor or a small coastal town less guesswork. This page covers the statutes, what Maine winters mean for a scooter, models suited to different needs, and Maine CITE.

How Maine law classifies the rider

Three definitions in 29-A M.R.S. §101 work together:

• Subsection 41-A: "'Motorized wheelchair' means a battery-powered device used exclusively for the transportation of an individual with a physical disability."
• Subsection 53: "'Pedestrian' means a person on foot or an operator of a wheelchair or a 4-wheeled or 3-wheeled motorized wheelchair."
• Subsection 42 excludes "A motorized wheelchair, an electric personal assistive mobility device or an electric bicycle" from the definition of "motor vehicle."

Subsection 41-B then defines a "motorized scooter" as "a scooter that has 2 or 3 wheels less than 10 inches in diameter in ground contact or is powered by a motor having a maximum piston displacement of less than 25 cubic centimeters or an electric motor with a capacity not exceeding 750 watts." That term describes a different kind of scooter. The statute does not say "mobility scooter," and we cannot tell you how an officer would classify a particular model; the motorized wheelchair definition turns on a battery-powered device used exclusively by a person with a physical disability. If your situation depends on the answer, ask the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or your local police.

Sidewalks, ways and crosswalks

The pedestrian rules are in 29-A M.R.S. §2056. "When use of a sidewalk next to a public way is practicable, a pedestrian may not walk on that public way." Without sidewalks, "a pedestrian shall walk facing approaching traffic on the left side of the public way or the way's shoulder when practicable," and a driver passing a pedestrian must leave "not less than 3 feet." Subsection 3 says "An operator shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk," and subsection 4 requires drivers, when signals are not operating, to yield to a pedestrian "crossing within a marked crosswalk or to a pedestrian who has shown visible intent to enter the marked crosswalk."

Duties run both ways: a pedestrian yields when crossing outside a marked crosswalk and may not "Suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety" into the path of a vehicle too close to yield.

A Maine winter and a scooter

According to NOAA's Maine climate summary, winter averages run from 25°F in the far south to below 15°F in the north and interior, and snowfall averages 40 to 80 inches across much of the state. Summers are mild, from near 60°F in the far north to near 70°F in the south. Ice storms and nor'easters are "part of Maine's normal climate."

That means a Maine scooter owner plans around the season. Uncleared sidewalks and snowbanks at curb cuts can block a route after a storm, so it helps to have an indoor plan for winter errands. Park the scooter indoors, and follow the maker's guidance on charging and storing batteries in the cold.

Scooters for Maine roads and errands

• Hard-packed trails and gravel. Pride's PX4 has full suspension and 13 in. pneumatic tires, and Pride says it is made for asphalt, concrete, gravel and any hard-packed surface. It is rated for 500 lbs. and up to 23.4 miles per charge.
• A higher capacity scooter that stays in one piece. The Pride Maxima 4-wheel carries up to 500 lbs., goes up to 19.5 miles, and offers a power elevating seat that adds 6.25 in. of height for reaching counters.
• Folding for the trunk. The Go Go Super Portable folds to a 12-inch depth without removing the seat and weighs 49.9 lbs with its battery; Pride says it needs only minimal dexterity to fold.
• Light pieces and a high back. Golden's LiteRider 4-Wheel comes apart into six pieces without wires to connect, the heaviest a 52 lb front half, and has a high-back seat and an adjustable LED headlight.

Short winter days make lighting worth weighing; the LiteRider's LED headlight is one example.

Maine CITE: try before you buy

The AT3 Center lists Maine CITE, at the University of Maine at Augusta, as Maine's assistive technology program. Maine CITE offers a "Borrow a Device" service and demonstrations, runs the AT 4 Maine library, and says its services "are available to all Maine residents and no documentation of disability is required."

Ordering and delivery to Maine

Scooters are sent to the address you give us. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 and $15 shipping under $500, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Visit shipping to Maine or use the scooter fit check.

Questions about mobility scooters in Maine

Is a mobility scooter rider a pedestrian in Maine?

29-A M.R.S. §101(53) defines a pedestrian as "a person on foot or an operator of a wheelchair or a 4-wheeled or 3-wheeled motorized wheelchair," and a motorized wheelchair as a battery-powered device used exclusively by a person with a physical disability. The statute does not name mobility scooters, so ask local police if your model's status matters.

Is a mobility scooter a "motorized scooter" under Maine law?

Maine defines a "motorized scooter" in §101(41-B) by wheel size and motor size, a different category from a motorized wheelchair. We cannot classify a specific model for you. If you need a definite answer, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is the agency to ask.

Where should I ride in Maine if there is no sidewalk?

29-A M.R.S. §2056 says a pedestrian should travel facing approaching traffic on the left side of the way or its shoulder when practicable. Drivers passing a pedestrian must leave at least 3 feet. Where a usable sidewalk exists, the statute keeps pedestrians off the adjacent public way.

Do Maine drivers have to yield at crosswalks?

When traffic signals are not operating, §2056(4) requires drivers to yield to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk or one "who has shown visible intent to enter." Pulling up to the curb ramp and pausing makes that intent clear to drivers.

Can I borrow a scooter through Maine CITE?

Maine CITE offers a "Borrow a Device" service and demonstrations and runs the AT 4 Maine library, according to its website. Its services are open to all Maine residents without documentation of disability. Contact Maine CITE to ask which mobility devices are available.

Look through our scooter collection, narrow the field with the scooter fit check, or work through the full assessment if a scooter is only part of the picture. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• 29-A M.R.S. §101, definitions
• 29-A M.R.S. §2056, pedestrians
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Maine
• Faith Mobility product page: Pride PX4
• Faith Mobility product page: Pride Maxima 4-wheel
• Faith Mobility product page: Pride Go Go Super Portable
• Faith Mobility product page: Golden LiteRider 4-Wheel
• AT3 Center: State AT programs directory (Maine)
• Maine CITE