ELECTRIC BICYCLES (Sections 300.010, 301.010, 302.010, 303.020, 304.001, 307.025, 307.180, 307.188, 307.193, 307.194, 365.020, 407.560, 407.815, 407.1025, and 578.120)

This act creates a definition for electric bicycles of three classifications, and excludes electric bicycles from definitions for other types of vehicles.

The act exempts electric bicycles from certain vehicle lighting requirements (Section 307.025), and provides that operators of electric bicycles and shall have the same rights, duties, and responsibilities as operators of other vehicles (Section 307.188).

Electric bicycles operated by a person under the age of 17 may be impounded in the same manner as bicycles and motorized bicycles. (Section 307.193)

Except as otherwise specifically provided in the act, every person riding an electric bicycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the operator of a bicycle, and shall be considered a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle. (Section 307.194.1)

Electric bicycles and their operators are not subject to provisions of law applicable to motor vehicles, ATVs, off-road vehicles, off-highway vehicles, motor vehicle rentals, motor vehicle dealers or franchises, or motorcycle dealers or franchises, including with regard to vehicle registration, titling, drivers' licensing, and financial responsibility. (Section 307.194.2)

Beginning August 28, 2021, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a permanent label to each electric bicycle detailing certain information as described in the act. (Section 307.194.3) No person shall modify an electric bicycle's capabilities unless he or she replaces the required label with a new label indicating the new classification. (Section 307.194.4)

Electric bicycles shall comply with equipment and manufacturing requirements under the federal law applicable to bicycles (Section 307.194.5), and shall operate in a manner such that the electric motor does not function when the rider stops pedaling or applies the brakes (Section 307.194.6).

Electric bicycles may be operated in any place where bicycles are permitted to travel, provided that political subdivisions may regulate the operation of electric bicycles as provided in the act, and that these provisions shall not apply to a natural surface trail or other path designated as nonmotorized. (Section 307.194.7)

The operation of a class 3 electric bicycle, as defined in the act, shall be limited to persons at least 16 years of age. Persons under the age of 16 may ride as a passenger, provided the electric bicycle is designed to accommodate passengers. (Section 307.194.8)

The act also exempts electric bicycles from the prohibition against licensed vehicle dealers, distributors, and manufacturers operating a place of business for the sale or exchange of vehicles on Sunday. (Section 578.120.1(3))

These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/HB 661 (2021), and provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SB 176 (2021), and similar to provisions in HCS/SB 38 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 46 (2021), and provisions in HCS/SS/SB 89 (2021).

LEFT TURNS AT A RED LIGHT (Sections 300.155 and 304.281)

This act provides that drivers may turn left onto a one-way street after stopping at a red light, provided the driver yields to pedestrians and other traffic.

These provisions are identical to HB 570 (2021), provisions in HCS/SB 38 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 46 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 89 (2021), HB 1541 (2020), provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS#2/HCS/SCS/SB 147 (2019), HB 402 (2019), and provisions in HCS/SB 371 (2019), and similar to HB 2432 (2018).

LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES (Sections 301.010 and 304.240)

The act modifies the definitions of local log truck and local log truck tractor to increase, from 100 miles to 150 miles, the radius within which the vehicles may operate in certain circumstances, and to specify weight limits for the vehicles (Sections 301.010(29)-(30)). The act provides for weight-based penalty amounts for load limit violations involving local log trucks or local log truck tractors (Section 304.240).

The act also repeals the requirement that local log trucks carry a load with dimensions not in excess of 25 cubic yards per two axles with dual wheels. (Section 301.010(29))

These provisions are similar to provisions in HCS/HB 1270 (2021), provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/HB 661 (2021), provisions in HCS/SB 38 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 46 (2021), and provisions in HCS/SS/SB 89 (2021).

EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND DISPLAY OF FIXED, FLASHING, OR ROTATING LIGHTS (Sections 304.022 and 307.175)

This act allows coroners, medical examiners, and forensic investigators of the county medical examiner's office or a similar entity to display emergency lights on their vehicles or equipment when responding to a crime scene, motor vehicle accident, workplace accident, or any location where their services are requested by law enforcement (section 307.175), and accordingly modifies the definition of "emergency vehicle" for purposes of motorists' obligation to yield to emergency vehicles displaying emergency lighting (Section 304.022).

These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 26 (2021), provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 53 & 60 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 4 (2021), provisions in HCS/SB 38 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 46 (2021), and provisions in HCS/SS/SB 89 (2021), and similar to HB 380 (2021).

ERIC VANDER WEERD