MOVE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6702
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-03T09:05:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Micromobility Oversight and Vulnerability Evaluation Act (MOVE Act) aims to improve road safety by addressing the risks posed by emerging micromobility technologies (like electric bikes and scooters) and high-speed personal transportation devices. It requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, to study their impact on injuries and deaths, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and young adults, and to create educational resources to help nonmotorized road users (such as pedestrians and cyclists) interact safely with these devices.
Key Provisions
- Study on Safety Impacts: NHTSA must conduct a comprehensive study examining how micromobility technologies and high-speed devices contribute to injuries and fatalities. The study focuses on children and young adults and includes reviewing crash data, such as device types, speeds, infrastructure involved (e.g., roads or bike lanes), and vehicle speeds if applicable.
- Best Practices Development: Based on study findings, NHTSA will create guidelines for nonmotorized road users on safely using or navigating around these devices. These guidelines consider factors like device type, motor power, maximum speed (on flat paved surfaces using only motor power), and state-specific rules on operator age, helmet requirements, insurance, or registration.
- Public Education Program: NHTSA will develop a nationwide mobility education initiative that includes:
- Safe navigation tips for nonmotorized users on streets.
- Consumer information on device speeds, manufacturer intentions for modifications (e.g., to exceed 20 mph), classifications like Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycles (low-speed e-bikes with pedal assist up to 20 mph), and relevant state laws.
- Integration of the "Safe System Approach," a framework that emphasizes preventing crashes through safer roads, vehicles, speeds, and user behaviors rather than relying solely on human error avoidance.
- Definitions:
- Micromobility technology: Small, low-speed devices (e.g., electric bikes, scooters, skateboards) for short urban trips, powered electrically or by humans, with a top motor-only speed of 20 mph or less.
- High-speed personal transportation device: Motor-driven devices for public roads with motors over 750 watts or top speeds exceeding 20 mph (motor-only), excluding motorcycles, cars, or truck-based vehicles.
- Nonmotorized road user: Pedestrians, cyclists, and others not using motorized vehicles (as defined in existing federal law).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 405(g)(5)(C) of Title 23, United States Code (which governs national priority safety programs and grants to states for highway safety). The change adds a new clause requiring states receiving federal funding to address "nonmotorized road user safety with respect to emerging micromobility technology issues," expanding the program's scope beyond traditional priorities like distracted driving or seat belts.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NHTSA will need to allocate resources for the study, best practices, and education program, potentially increasing workload and budget needs. States may see expanded eligibility for federal highway safety grants, encouraging them to incorporate micromobility safety into their programs.
- Citizens: Vulnerable road users, especially children and young adults, could benefit from reduced crash risks through better awareness and infrastructure considerations. Users of micromobility devices will gain clearer information on safe operation and legal requirements, potentially lowering injury rates in urban areas where these devices are common.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. road safety and does not involve foreign policy or trade.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, cyclists, and skateboarders who face higher risks from faster devices.
- Micromobility Users: Riders of electric bikes, scooters, and similar devices, including children and young adults.
- Government Entities: NHTSA (leads implementation), state transportation departments (access to grants), and local governments (influenced by safety guidelines for urban infrastructure).
- Manufacturers and Retailers: Producers of micromobility devices, who may need to provide more transparent information on speeds and modifications.
- General Public: Urban commuters benefiting from safer streets and education on emerging transport trends.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal oversight of emerging transportation technologies without imposing new regulations on states or manufacturers, relying instead on studies and voluntary best practices. It builds on existing federal highway safety laws by integrating micromobility into grant programs, which could lead to more uniform state-level responses to device safety.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the bill operates within Congress's authority over interstate commerce and federal funding for highways (under the Commerce Clause). It promotes public safety without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Highlights growing concerns over urban mobility and "vulnerable road users" (who account for a high share of traffic deaths), potentially influencing future transportation policy amid rising e-bike and scooter use. It encourages a proactive "Safe System Approach" to tech-driven changes, which could spark debates on balancing innovation with regulation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-12-12: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-12-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Micromobility Oversight and Vulnerability Evaluation Act — issued 2025-12-12 — PDF (6 pages)