TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY; EXEMPTIONS; GENERAL REQUIREMENTS; VIOLATIONS
Boise City Code § 6-13-3
in effect6-13-3: TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY; EXEMPTIONS; GENERAL REQUIREMENTS; VIOLATIONS:
A. Traffic Laws Apply: Every person who operates a bicycle, E-bike, or E-scooter upon a roadway, public parking lot, sidewalk, bike path, bike lane, or other public vehicular rights-of-way in the City shall be granted the same rights and subject to the same responsibilities applicable to a motor vehicle operator by the laws of the State of Idaho, and the provisions of this title not in conflict with and as authorized under title 49, Idaho Code; except where provisions of those laws and ordinances by their very nature can have no application to bicycles, E-bikes, or E-scooters, or where portions of this Chapter direct otherwise.
B. Exemptions:
1. Any peace officer, as defined in Idaho Code Title 19, Chapter 51, operating a bicycle, E-bike, or E-scooter in the course and scope of his official duties is exempt from the requirements of subsection A of this section, if the bicycle, E-bike, or E-scooter is being operated under any of the following circumstances:
a. In response to an emergency call.
b. While engaged in rescue operations.
c. In the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.
2. This subsection does not relieve a peace officer from the duty to operate a bicycle, E-bike, or E-scooter with due regard for the safety of all persons.
C. General Requirements:
1. Every owner or operator of a vehicle (partially or wholly powered by an electric motor or gas engine) that does not qualify as an E-bike or E-scooter under this Chapter must comply with all Idaho Code provisions and Idaho Transportation Department rules or regulations regarding such motor vehicles, including but not limited to licensing, titling, registration, and rider restrictions.
2. E-moto Requirements and Prohibitions: For the purposes of this Code, any vehicle that falls within the definition of an E-moto and is operated on a public roadway or highway within the City, shall be treated as a motor vehicle that must obtain a motor vehicle license, title, and insurance to be operated on public streets and highways within the City.
a. Any E-moto that cannot obtain vehicle licensing, title, and insurance from the state of Idaho is prohibited from operating on any public roadway or highway within the City.
b. Any person operating a licensed, titled, and insured E-moto upon any public roadway or highway within the City, shall comply with all Idaho Code driver restrictions and requirements.
c. E-motos are always prohibited from operation on City sidewalks, pathways, and bike paths. E-motos are only permitted on trails owned or managed by the City that are specifically designated for use by motorcycles or other motor vehicles.
D. Violations: Any person who violates the provisions of this section, except subsection A, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to the penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this Code. (Ord. 28-18, 8-21-2018; amd. Ord. 20-23, 7-11-2023; Ord. 30-26, 6-30-2026)
Source: Boise City, Idaho, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/boise_id/latest/boise/0-0-0-50864Fetched: 11/1/2026