The law is a funny thing. They are necessarily broad in their definitions so that they can capture each of the wrinkles of real life. But sometimes they cover more territory than they are meant to. Such is the case with a new law in Arizona, which seems to require a driver’s license to ride an e-bike off-road.
Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs just signed into law Arizona Senate Bill 1567, which prohibits anyone from operating an off-road vehicle (such as a quad or motorcycle) from doing so while consuming alcohol or possessing it in an open container. That seems sensible enough, amiright? However, the law has a second provision: that anyone operating an off-road vehicle must possess a driver’s license and have gone through a driver education course.
That requirement doesn’t sound too nanny-state, but Arizona’s definition of what constitutes an off-highway vehicle (OHV) deviates from what we find in most other states. Arizona stipulates, “An OHV is a motorized vehicle that is operated primarily off of highways and that is designed, modified or purpose-built primarily for recreational nonhighway all-terrain travel. An OHV includes a tracked or wheeled vehicle, utility vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, four-wheel drive vehicle,
dune buggy, sand rail, amphibious vehicle, ground effects or air cushion vehicle and any other means of land transportation deriving motive power from a source other than muscle or wind.”
