AB 975

This bill makes various changes relating to the operation of mopeds. Some of

these changes impose standards for moped operation similar to those for motorcycle

operation under current law. The bill makes the following changes:

1. Current law considers mopeds as bicycles for the purpose of parking,

allowing them to be parked on sidewalks and in bicycle parking areas. This bill

allows municipalities to enact ordinances considering mopeds as motorcycles rather

than bicycles for the purpose of parking, allowing municipalities to restrict moped

parking on sidewalks and in bicycle parking areas.

2. Current law generally prohibits persons from operating a motorcycle

without wearing eye protection. Current law also prohibits a person from renting

or loaning a motorcycle to another person unless the other person has eye protection.

This bill imposes the same requirements on moped operators and persons who rent

or loan mopeds.

3. Current law requires headlamps on motorcycles to be lighted whenever the

motorcycle is being operated, whether the motorcycle is being operated in the

daylight or at night. Current law requires headlamps on mopeds to be lighted only

during hours of darkness. This bill requires mopeds, like motorcycles, to have

headlamps lighted at all times during operation.

4. This bill prohibits a person from operating a moped while wearing

headphones or while using a cellular telephone.

5. This bill prohibits a person from carrying any load or object on a moped that

impedes the person's ability to operate the moped safely or that extends beyond the

pedals or foot rests of the moped.