Electric Scooters are legal - within the relevant regulations
As of 2026, Minnesota regulates electric scooters under Minnesota Statute § 169.225, specifically classifying them as Motorized Foot Scooters.
The state grants operators the same rights and duties as bicyclists, but with distinct technical and operational limitations that differ from e-bike regulations.
State-level classification and definition
Under MS § 169.011, Subdivision 46, a motorized foot scooter is defined by either its wheel size or its performance capability:
Design: A device with handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon.
Wheels: No more than two wheels that are 10 inches or less in diameter
Speed: A device with a motor capable of a maximum speed of 15 mph on a paved level surface.
Licensing and age requirements
License: No driver's license or instructional permit is required to operate a motorized foot scooter in Minnesota (MS § 169.225, Subd. 3).
Minimum Age: No person under the age of 12 years may operate a motorized foot scooter.
Registration: These devices are exempt from vehicle registration and titling requirements.
3. Helmet laws
Minnesota enforces a mandatory helmet requirement for minors.
Requirement: Any person under 18 years of age must wear properly fitted and fastened protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety (MS § 169.225, Subd. 4).
Adults: Helmets are not legally mandated for riders 18 and older.
Performance and equipment limits
To remain in the "Motorized Foot Scooter" legal category, the vehicle must meet the following standards:
Speed: The motor must not be capable of propelling the device faster than 15 mph.
Passengers: Carrying more than one person (the operator) is strictly prohibited.
Brakes: The scooter must have a braking system that allows the operator to perform a controlled stop.
Night Lighting: When operated during conditions requiring vehicle lights (sunset to sunrise), it must have a white headlight visible from 500 feet and a red taillight visible from 600 feet (MS § 169.225, Subd. 5).
Operational rules and permitted areas
Operators must follow specific positioning and turning rules that are unique to this vehicle class.
Roadways: Riders must stay as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the road (MS § 169.225, Subd. 6).
Left Turns: Unlike cars or bikes, scooter operators preparing for a left turn must stop and dismount at the right-hand curb and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot as a pedestrian.
Sidewalks: Riding on sidewalks is prohibited statewide, except when necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
Bicycle Paths: Permitted on bicycle paths, lanes, or trails unless the local authority specifically prohibits motorized use on that specific path.
Municipal variations
Local governments frequently add density-based restrictions, particularly in the Twin Cities.
| City | Sidewalk Access | Key 2026 Restriction |
| Minneapolis | Prohibited city-wide. | Strict "Equity Distribution" rules for shared fleets; private riders must follow all 169.225 rules. |
| St. Paul | Prohibited city-wide. | High-traffic "dismount zones" active in select downtown plazas. |
| Bloomington | Prohibited city-wide. | Specific park and school property bans for motorized devices. |
| Duluth | Limited to bike lanes/roads. | Yield strictly to pedestrians on any shared-use trails. |
Disclaimer: Bo USA Inc. endeavours to keep these documents up to date and relevant, however does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the included findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States. Always carry out secondary research to validate any statement - and refer directly to the relevant authority before presuming accuracy.
Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin riding electric scooters should refer to their local governments to obtain the most up-to-date information on the applicable, local legal standing of scooters.
The Bo Model-M: Since the electric scooter is legal in Minnesota, it is worth investing in a vehicle that is going to have a real integrity and quality to its manufacture. This means it will bring you pleasure every time you use it.
To that end, it is interesting to know that Bo is the only electric scooter designed and engineered by a team of real car guys. Where the rest of the scooter industry took plasticky toys and ruggedised them, we started with a blank sheet of paper to develop the best vehicle in the world for local journeys.
Of course, you can only really feel the benefit of that when you ride it for yourself; that is why we give an extraordinary 60 day return policy and have a customer response team full of the engineers who made it. When you contact Bo, you're going straight to the source.
Visit the Model M page - click here
Learn more about how we made the 'M' - click here
Go watch a Youtube about the Model-M - click here
Return to the State-by-State regulation page - click here
