Gov. Brown gives green light to motorized skateboards

The founders of ZBoard have launched a San Francisco themed electric skateboard, but it’s in the hands of city official to adopt a law Gov. Jerry Brown signed Sunday reversing a ban on the boards and allowing them in bicycle lanes. less The founders of ZBoard have launched a San Francisco themed electric skateboard, but it’s in the hands of city official to adopt a law Gov. Jerry Brown signed Sunday reversing a ban on the boards and allowing ... more Photo: Ben Forman, ZBoard Photo: Ben Forman, ZBoard Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Gov. Brown gives green light to motorized skateboards 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Move over bicyclists, e-boarders now have the legal right to share your lanes.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation reversing a 38-year-old state ban on electric motorized boards, giving riders of such mobility devices the same street cred as cyclists.

The legislation, signed by Brown on Sunday, will go into effect on Jan. 1.

But e-boarders aren’t shredding with joy just yet. The law gives municipalities the right accept all, part or none of the new rules.

“In places like Oakland where skateboards are banned on roads and many sidewalks, e-boards could also be banned,” said Ryan Price, campaigns director for the California Bicycle Coalition.

The law will give cities the choice to give operators the green light to roll on any “public bicycle path, sidewalk, or trail,” according to Assembly Bill 604, introduced by Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen of Modesto.

Modesto is home to Intuitive Motion, a manufacturer of electric skateboards called ZBoards.

“My legislation updates our outdated laws to give Californians an environmentally friendly transportation option, and encourages the growth of an industry to create new jobs,” Olsen said in a statement.

The state banned motorized boards in 1977 because back then, they were mostly noisy, gas-powered nuisances. Modern models are mostly quiet and use rechargeable batteries.

The new law will require riders to wear helmets and makes it illegal to operate the boards while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Bill Hutchinson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: bhutchinson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Bill_Hutchinson