The MOVE Act Mandates Safety Study on E-Bikes and Scooters: What It Means for Your Commute

You know those electric scooters and bikes that seem to pop up everywhere? The ones that are great for getting around but sometimes feel like they’re playing by different rules than everyone else? Well, the federal government is finally paying attention. The Micromobility Oversight and Vulnerability Evaluation Act (MOVE Act) mandates a comprehensive study by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on how these devices—including e-bikes, e-scooters, and even high-speed personal devices—are impacting road deaths and injuries, especially among kids and young adults (SEC. 3).

This isn't just an academic exercise. The study is required to dig into the actual crash data, looking at everything from the device's speed and motor power to the type of infrastructure where the crash happened (SEC. 3). For example, they'll be checking if crashes are spiking at intersections without protected bike lanes, or if devices that can be easily modified to go faster than 20 mph are a bigger problem. Essentially, the DOT is being told to figure out where the real dangers are lurking in this new world of personal electric transportation.

Figuring Out the New Rules of the Road

The real impact of the MOVE Act comes after the study. Based on those findings, the Secretary of Transportation must develop two key things: best practices for nonmotorized road users (that's you, if you walk, cycle, or scoot) and a nationwide mobility education program (SEC. 3). Think of this as the federal government finally creating a standardized driver’s ed curriculum for the electric age.

For the average commuter, this education program is designed to cut through the noise. It will provide consumer information on a device’s maximum motor-powered speed and, critically, whether it can be easily modified to exceed 20 mph (SEC. 3). If you’re looking at buying an e-bike, this means you should eventually get clear, federally backed information on how fast that thing will actually go and whether it falls into the regulated Class 1 or Class 2 categories. This is a big win for transparency, especially since many people buy these devices online without realizing how state laws classify them.

Making Safety a National Priority

To ensure this isn't just a one-off study, the MOVE Act amends existing law to make “nonmotorized road user safety with respect to emerging micromobility technology issues” a national priority safety program area (SEC. 3). Why does that matter? It means that federal funding and resources for traffic safety can now be specifically directed toward solving the problems identified in the study. Local governments and planning agencies that rely on federal grants will now have a clear mandate and incentive to address things like scooter parking, e-bike lane design, and pedestrian safety near shared paths.

The Fine Print: What’s Missing?

While the MOVE Act is a necessary step toward understanding and regulating these new devices, there are a couple of things to note. First, the bill is all about study and education—it doesn't impose any immediate new regulations on manufacturers or riders. Second, and perhaps more frustrating for busy city planners, the bill doesn't set a hard deadline for when the study must be completed or when the best practices must be rolled out (SEC. 3). This lack of a specific timeline means that while the intent is solid, the actual implementation could take a while, leaving communities to continue grappling with safety issues in the interim. But overall, this bill is a straight-shooting attempt to catch up with technology and make our streets safer for everyone who isn't in a car.