Mobility scooters in Nevada: wheelchair riders are pedestrians

Nevada families asking where a mobility scooter is allowed to go will find a helpful starting point in state law. Nevada's traffic code defines a pedestrian to include "a person in a manual or motorized wheelchair," and its sidewalk rule has a specific allowance for a pedestrian who meets a blocked or missing stretch of sidewalk.

A mobility scooter is not named in that definition, so whether a given scooter counts as a "motorized wheelchair" is not spelled out. The rules below are the ones that apply to wheelchair users, and the safest working assumption for a scooter rider, until a local authority tells you otherwise.

The Nevada statutes on pedestrians and sidewalks

Under NRS 484A.165, "'Pedestrian' means a person afoot, a person in a manual or motorized wheelchair, or a person on an electric personal assistive mobility device as defined in NRS 482.029." That puts a motorized wheelchair user under the pedestrian rules of Nevada's traffic code.

The sidewalk rule is in NRS 484B.297. Where sidewalks exist, "it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent highway," and where they do not, pedestrians "shall walk on the left side of those highways facing the approaching traffic." Subsection 6 then addresses obstacles: "A pedestrian walking or otherwise traveling on a sidewalk who encounters an obstruction to his or her mobility on the sidewalk, including, without limitation, a short section of the sidewalk that is missing or impassable, may proceed with due care on the immediately adjacent highway to move around such an obstruction." Such a pedestrian "Must walk or otherwise travel as far to the side of the highway near the sidewalk as possible" and may keep going in the same direction "regardless of the direction of traffic."

At crosswalks without working signals, a driver "shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the highway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which the vehicle is turning" (NRS 484B.283). The same section says a pedestrian "shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety" into the path of a vehicle too close to yield.

We could not confirm whether Nevada treats every three- or four-wheel mobility scooter as a "motorized wheelchair." A city or county may also have its own rules for sidewalks and parks. For a firm answer where you live, ask your local police department; for registration or licensing questions, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.

Picking a scooter for Nevada

• Pride Victory LX Sport: an eco and sport mode switch to save battery on long days, CTS suspension with adjustable shocks, range up to 19.7 miles at 200 lbs, and a light package with an LED headlight and directional signals.
• Golden LiteRider 4-Wheel: comes apart into six lightweight pieces without wires to connect, with a 52 lb front half as the heaviest piece, a high-back seat and up to 12.5 miles per charge.
• Feather Power Scooter: weighs 37 lbs without batteries, folds compactly and rolls on its rear tip wheels; Feather describes its 25.2V lithium battery as airline compliant, but check with your carrier.
• Vive 4 Wheel Mobility Scooter: flat-free tires, a swivel seat and a 265 lb capacity; Vive notes it will not clear 2 in doorsteps, so it suits smooth floors and paved paths.

The figures above come from each product's page on our site, which restates the maker's published numbers.

Heat and battery range in the driest state

NOAA's Nevada climate summary describes "the scorching lowland desert in the south," Las Vegas summer highs averaging 102°F, and a long-term average of 33 days a year at 95°F or more, with the count above average over the last 26 years. Statewide precipitation averages just 10.2 inches a year, though "Summer monsoon rains frequently lead to disruptive flooding in the Las Vegas Valley."

For a scooter, the practical steps are simple. Ride in the cooler hours and do not leave the scooter or its battery sitting in a closed car in summer. Seats and controls in direct sun get hot, so a shaded parking spot helps. During monsoon storms, stay off flooded streets and wait out the water.

Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative

The AT3 Center lists the Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative (NATC) as the state program, with device loans, demonstrations, reutilization, financial loans and other state financing. A device loan or demonstration is a sensible way to compare a scooter with a power chair before buying.

Delivering a scooter in Nevada

Your scooter ships to you ready to set up. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC; orders over $500 ship free and orders under $500 ship for $15, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; a few brands are different. Details are on shipping to Nevada, and the scooter fit check narrows the list.

Questions about mobility scooters in Nevada

Is a mobility scooter rider a pedestrian in Nevada?

NRS 484A.165 defines a pedestrian as a person afoot, a person in a manual or motorized wheelchair, or a person on an electric personal assistive mobility device. Mobility scooters are not named, so whether yours counts as a motorized wheelchair is not spelled out; ask your local police how they treat it.

Can I use the street if the sidewalk is blocked in Nevada?

NRS 484B.297(6) lets a pedestrian on a sidewalk who meets an obstruction, such as a missing or impassable section, proceed with due care on the adjacent highway to get around it. The pedestrian must stay as far to the side near the sidewalk as possible and may continue in the same direction regardless of traffic.

Which side of the road if there is no sidewalk in Nevada?

NRS 484B.297(2) says pedestrians walking along highways where sidewalks are not provided "shall walk on the left side of those highways facing the approaching traffic." Where sidewalks are provided, using the adjacent highway instead is unlawful except for getting around an obstruction under subsection 6.

How do I protect a scooter battery in Las Vegas heat?

NOAA reports Las Vegas summer highs averaging 102°F, with about nine days a year at 110°F or above. Ride in cooler hours, park in shade, and do not leave the scooter or battery in a closed car. Expect range to vary with heat and terrain, and plan trips with room to spare.

Which scooters are easiest to take on a trip from Nevada?

Look at weight and how it comes apart. The Feather Power Scooter weighs 37 lbs without batteries and folds, and Feather describes its battery as airline compliant. The Golden LiteRider 4-Wheel breaks into six pieces with a 52 lb heaviest piece. Always check battery rules with your airline.

See the mobility scooter collection, start the scooter fit check, or work through the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Nevada Revised Statutes 484A.165, pedestrian defined
• NRS 484B.297, walking along highways; obstructed sidewalks
• NRS 484B.283, right-of-way in crosswalk
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Nevada
• AT3 Center: Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative
• Pride Victory LX Sport product page
• Golden LiteRider 4-Wheel product page
• Feather Power Scooter product page
• Vive 4 Wheel Mobility Scooter product page