Electric bikes, motorized scooters, hoverboards, and other micromobility devices have become a familiar presence on Virginia’s roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks in recent years. Their rapid proliferation has outpaced the regulatory frameworks governing them, leaving local governments, law enforcement, and community associations grappling with safety concerns that current law does not fully address. HB 1120, patroned by Delegates Singh during the 2026 General Assembly session and signed by the Governor, represents a meaningful first step toward closing that gap.
HB 1120 directs the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to convene a work group tasked with examining the safety landscape for electric power-assisted bicycles (e-bikes), motorized skateboards and scooters, electric personal assistive mobility devices (such as Segways), and other micromobility devices like mopeds. The work group is charged with developing recommendations on whether new regulations or legislation are warranted to improve safety for both operators and the public.
The work group is composed of relevant stakeholders including VACo and shall report its findings to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Transportation no later than November 1, 2026.
Why This Matters for Counties
For county leaders, the safety challenges posed by micromobility devices are becoming increasingly common in communities across the Commonwealth. Local roads, sidewalks and shared-use paths are where these devices most commonly operate alongside pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles. Incidents involving e-bikes and scooters have generated constituent complaints and demands for local action in jurisdictions across the Commonwealth.
Some of the key questions the group will need to address include whether Virginia should establish a licensing or registration requirement for certain classes of devices; how speed limits for devices, helmet requirements, and age restrictions should apply; how to handle enforcement; and what product safety standards, if any, the Commonwealth should impose on manufacturers and retailers.
The recommendations that emerge from this process will likely shape Virginia’s approach to micromobility device regulation for years to come. VACo encourages county leaders to share their experiences, priorities, and concerns related to micromobility device safety. Your input will directly inform how VACo engages in this process and advocates on behalf of Virginia’s counties.
VACo Contact: James Hutzler