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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 1560

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 1225 Session of 2001


        INTRODUCED BY CORMAN, MADIGAN, STOUT, PICCOLA, DENT, EARLL,
           ORIE, KASUNIC, LEMMOND, MURPHY, MUSTO, SCARNATI, WAGNER,
           WAUGH, WENGER, D. WHITE AND BOSCOLA, DECEMBER 3, 2001

        REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, DECEMBER 3, 2001

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
     2     Statutes, further defining "vehicle"; defining "electric
     3     personal assistive mobility device" or "EPAMD"; and further
     4     providing for driving upon sidewalk.

     5     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     6  hereby enacts as follows:
     7     Section 1.  The definition of "vehicle" in section 102 of
     8  Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended
     9  and the section is amended by adding a definition to read:
    10  § 102.  Definitions.
    11     Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
    12  provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
    13  provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
    14  used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly
    15  indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
    16     * * *
    17     "Electric personal assistive mobility device" or "EPAMD." A
    18  self-balancing two-nontandem-wheeled device designed to


     1  transport only one person with an electric propulsion system
     2  that limits the maximum speed of the device to 15 miles per hour
     3  or less.
     4     * * *
     5     "Vehicle."  Every device in, upon or by which any person or
     6  property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway,
     7  except devices used exclusively upon rails or tracks. The term
     8  does not include a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical
     9  mobility device operated by and designed for the exclusive use
    10  of a person with a mobility-related disability or an electric
    11  personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD).
    12     * * *
    13     Section 2.  Section 3703 of Title 75 is amended to read:
    14  § 3703.  Driving upon sidewalk.
    15     (a)  General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b) or
    16  (c), no person shall drive any vehicle except a human-powered
    17  vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent
    18  or duly authorized temporary driveway.
    19     (b)  Certain mobility-related devices for persons with
    20  disabilities.--Any municipality may permit the operation of a
    21  self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility device on a
    22  sidewalk or sidewalk area for the specific purpose of giving
    23  persons with mobility-related disabilities the capability of
    24  transporting themselves. The municipality may impose such
    25  restrictions as are necessary to protect the interests of
    26  pedestrians and others using the sidewalk or sidewalk area.
    27     (c)  Electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD).--A
    28  municipality shall permit the operation of an electric personal
    29  assistive mobility device on a sidewalk or sidewalk area if the
    30  EPAMD is used for the specific purpose of providing individuals:
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     1         (1)  With mobility-related disabilities the capability of
     2     transporting themselves.
     3         (2)  With mobility-related challenges the capability to
     4     improve their ability to transport themselves.
     5  An EPAMD may also be used on a sidewalk or sidewalk area by a
     6  government, utility or service employee for the purpose of
     7  performing assigned duties.
     8     Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.















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