Last Updated: June 3, 2022

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DEFINITIONS

Electric Bicycle

“Electric bicycle” means a device upon which a person may ride, having two or three wheels, or every such device generally recognized as a bicycle that has fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle for the rider, an electric motor which produces not more than 750 watts and meets the requirements of one of the following three classes:

Ê The term does not include a moped or an electric scooter.

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.017 - “Electric bicycle” defined.)

Electric Scooter

“Electric scooter” means a vehicle with handlebars and an electric motor that is designed to be ridden on in an upright or seated position and propelled by its electric motor or by propulsion provided by the rider. Such a vehicle:

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.018 - "Electric scooter" defined.)

FAQs

When are Cyclists Required to Signal?

Except as otherwise provided, an operator of a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric scooter upon a roadway shall not turn from a direct course unless the movement may be made with reasonable safety and the operator gives an appropriate signal. The operator shall give the appropriate signal at least one time but is not required to give the signal continuously.

An operator of a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric scooter is not required to give a signal if:

1. The bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter is in a designated turn lane; or
2. Safe operation of the bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter requires the operator to keep both hands on the bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter.

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.768 - Required action of operator of bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter when turning from direct course; when signal not required.)

How do Cyclists Signal?

An operator of a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric scooter upon a roadway shall give all signals by hand and arm by extended beyond the left side of the vehicle in the following manner, and shall indicate the turns that follow:

1. Left turn: Hand and arm extended horizontally.
2. Right turn: Hand and arm extended upward.
3. Stop or decrease speed: Hand and arm extended downward.
4. Reentering lane of traffic from parked position: Hand and arm extended horizontally.

Ê except that the operator may give a signal for a right turn by extending his or her right hand and arm horizontally and to the right side of the bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter.

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.769 - Signals required to be given by operator of bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter on roadway.)

What is Considered Safe Operation on a Roadway?

Every person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric scooter upon a roadway shall, except:

1. When traveling at a lawful rate of speed commensurate with the speed of any nearby traffic;
2. When preparing to turn left; or
3. When doing so would not be safe,

Ê ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

The conditions under which it is not safe to operate a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric scooter as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable include, without limitation:

1. When fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals or surface hazards impede access to the right side of the roadway.
2. When a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

Persons riding bicycles, electric bicycles or electric scooters upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, electric bicycles and electric scooters.

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.777 - Operating bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter on roadway.)

What is Required when Operating a Bicycle at Night?

Every bicycle, electric bicycle or electric scooter when in use at night must be equipped with:

1. A lamp on the front which emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front;
2. A red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which must be visible from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle; and
3. Reflective material of a sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides of the bicycle for 600 feet when directly in front of the lawful lower beams of the headlamps of a motor vehicle, or in lieu of such material, a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least 500 feet.

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.783 - Lamps, reflectors and brakes required on bicycles, electric bicycles and electric scooters.)

What are the Labeling Requirements for Electric Bicycles and Scooters?

On and after January 1, 2022, a manufacturer or distributor of electric bicycles in this State shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle that it manufactures or distributes, as applicable. The label must:

1. Contain the classification number, maximum assisted speed and wattage of motor of the electric bicycle; and
2. Be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.

A new electric bicycle sold in this State on or after October 1, 2021, must comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission pursuant to 16 C.F.R. Part 1512.

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.784 - Electric bicycle to be labeled by manufacturer or distributor; contents of label; equipment, manufacturing and operational requirements of electric bicycles; certain modifications of electric bicycle prohibited unless label is updated.)

Are Modifications on Electric Vehicles Allowed?

A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle in such a manner as to change the speed capability of the motor or the engagement of an electric bicycle unless the label indicating the classification required by subsection 1 of NRS 484B.784 is replaced after modification.

All class 3 electric bicycles, before or after modification must be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed the electric bicycle is traveling in miles per hour.

(NRS: CHAPTER 484B.784 - Electric bicycle to be labeled by manufacturer or distributor; contents of label; equipment, manufacturing and operational requirements of electric bicycles; certain modifications of electric bicycle prohibited unless label is updated.)

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