Personal mobility deviceAustria

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107. Personal mobility device

A personal mobility device, also called a personal transporter, is a compact device designed to transport one person over relatively short distances. Examples can include kick scooters, electric scooters, skateboards, self-balancing devices and mobility devices.

Personal transporters may be powered by the user's own effort or by an electric motor. Their legal classification, maximum speed, minimum riding age and permitted place on the road vary between countries, so users must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

Personal mobility device
A segway. (Nevada, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Maurizio Pesce • CC BY
What is a personal transporter?

A personal transporter is a compact device designed to transport an individual, commonly over relatively short distances.

What are examples of personal transporters?

Examples can include electric scooters, kick scooters, skateboards, self-balancing devices, monowheels and certain mobility devices.

Is an electric scooter a personal transporter?

Yes, commonly. Electric scooters are one of the most widespread forms of motorised personal transporter, although their precise legal classification varies between countries.

Is a personal transporter the same as a bicycle?

No. A bicycle is primarily propelled through pedals or hand cranks. Personal transporters can use other methods of propulsion and may belong to a separate legal category.

Is a personal transporter the same as a moped?

Not necessarily. Low-speed personal mobility devices are often classified separately from mopeds. Devices exceeding specified speed or construction limits may fall into another vehicle category.

Can personal transporters use cycle paths?

This depends on the country and type of device. Motorised personal transporters are often permitted or required to use cycle infrastructure where available.

Can personal transporters use the pavement?

This depends on local law. Motorised devices may be prohibited from ordinary pavements, while people using non-motorised devices at walking speed may sometimes be treated as pedestrians.

Is there a minimum age for using an electric personal transporter?

Some countries impose a minimum riding age for electric scooters and similar motorised devices. The applicable age and exceptions vary between jurisdictions.

Can you carry a passenger on a personal transporter?

Only when the device is specifically designed and legally permitted to carry passengers. Most ordinary electric scooters are designed for one person only.

Do personal transporters need lights and brakes?

Motorised devices may be subject to requirements concerning lights, reflectors, brakes and audible warning devices. The required equipment depends on local traffic and technical regulations.

Is a helmet compulsory on a personal transporter?

This varies between countries and device categories. Even where a helmet is not legally compulsory, wearing an appropriate helmet can provide additional protection in a fall or collision.

Can you modify a personal transporter to make it faster?

A modification that increases the vehicle beyond the legal speed or technical limits may change its classification or make it illegal for use on public roads.

1 Austria 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Cycling street 12 Pedestrian zone 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Give way to oncoming traffic 24 Railway crossing 25 Mandatory direction 26 Turn prohibition 27 School area 28 Overtaking 29 Crossing animals 30 Wrong-way driving 31 Roadworks 32 Height limit 33 Width limit 34 Weight limit 35 Priority at the next junction 36 Traffic lights 37 Pedestrian lights 38 Speed feedback 39 Driving licence 40 Location marker 41 Traffic mirror 42 Emergency telephone 43 International border 44 Cycling route 45 Parking 46 No parking 47 No stopping 48 Disabled parking 49 Reversing 50 Uncontrolled crossroad 51 Road surface 52 Provisional licence 53 Runaway truck ramp 54 City limit 55 Cyclist crossing 56 Horn 57 Licence plate 58 Charging station 59 Dangers 60 Cyclist 61 Bus 62 Police 63 Ambulance 64 Police signals 65 European emission standard 66 Pothole 67 Private property 68 Path 69 Particulates 70 Air pollution 71 Rush hour 72 Road code 73 Street gutter 74 Cargo bike 75 Forestry vehicle 76 Construction vehicle 77 Semi-trailer truck 78 Trolleybus 79 Speed pedelec 80 Delivery vehicle 81 Idling 82 Tow truck 83 Four-wheel drive 84 No vehicles 85 Bicycle 86 Motorcycle equipment 87 Tram 88 Rail track 89 Caravan 90 Trailer 91 Tow hitch 92 Fire truck 93 Siren 94 Convoy 95 Emergency vehicle lighting 96 Agricultural machinery 97 Electric bicycle 98 Electric vehicle 99 Pedelec 100 Quadricycle ... 101 Microcar 102 All-terrain vehicle 103 Van 104 Recreational vehicle 105 Scooter 106 Trikke 107 Personal mobility device 108 Skateboard 109 Segway 110 Kick scooter 111 Roller skates 112 Mailman 113 Hitchhiker 114 Toddler 115 Child 116 Disability 117 Motorail 118 km/h 119 mph 120 Speedometer 121 National speed 122 Ride height 123 Dirt road 124 Driving 125 Start-stop system 126 Manual transmission 127 Automatic transmission 128 Throttle 129 Tachometer 130 Steering wheel 131 Power steering 132 Visual scanning 133 Mirror 134 Fuel 135 Fuel gauge 136 Petrol 137 Diesel 138 Diesel exhaust fluid 139 Car insurance 140 First aid kit 141 Fire extinguisher 142 High-visibility clothing 143 First aid 144 Guardrail 145 Concrete step barrier 146 Bollards 147 Barriers 148 Vehicle lights 149 Street lights 150 Dipped beam 151 High beam 152 Fog lights 153 Front fog lights 154 Rear fog lights 155 Side lights 156 Turn signals 157 Hazard lights 158 Dashboard lights 159 Bicycle lighting 160 Bicycle bell 161 Headlight flashing 162 Seat belt 163 Child restraints 164 Head restraints 165 Airbag 166 ABS 167 Esp 168 Traction control system 169 Helmet 170 Bicycle helmet 171 Hands-free 172 Smartphone 173 GPS 174 Brake 175 Handbrake 176 Brake fluid 177 Tyres 178 Tyre code 179 Winter tyres 180 Tyre pressure 181 Snow chains 182 Bicycle tyre 183 Continuous track 184 Gross Vehicle Weight 185 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 186 Cargo 187 Car body 188 Trunk 189 Roof rack 190 Windscreen 191 Emergency hammer 192 Car battery 193 Traction battery 194 Suspension 195 Shock absorber 196 Spring 197 Exhaust 198 Exhaust gas 199 Soot 200 Catalytic converter 201 Engine 202 Petrol engine 203 Diesel engine 204 Electric motor 205 Timing belt 206 Glow plug 207 Cylinder 208 Engine oil 209 Coolant 210 Maintenance 211 Spare tyre 212 Flat tyre 213 Jack 214 Vehicle inspection 215 Key 216 Dashboard 217 Windscreen wiper 218 Doors 219 Glovebox 220 Visibility 221 Rain 222 Fog 223 Hail 224 Sunlight 225 Sunglasses 226 Salt 227 Air conditioning 228 Hydroplaning 229 Distraction 230 Emotions 231 Road rage 232 Health 233 Epilepsy 234 Night blindness 235 Visual impairment 236 Fatigue 237 Defects 238 Traffic violation 239 Alcohol 240 Alcohol control 241 Ignition interlock device 242 Breath test 243 Breath analysis 244 Blood alcohol content 245 Blood test 246 Saliva test 247 Drugs 248 Medication 249 Penalties 250 Speeding 251 Smoking 252 Traffic enforcement camera 253 Accident 254 Injuries 255 Nosebleed 256 Damage 257 Breakdown 258 Warning triangle 259 Traffic rules 260 Driving school 261 Traffic signs