For the first time this year, anyone cruising around the state on an electric scooter will be doing so with the blessing of the Montana Legislature.

Guidelines for the devices and other seatless rides, such as electric unicycles and skateboards, were written into law this spring with the passage of HB 588. The changes take effect Oct. 1.

Rep. Neil Duram, R-Eureka, carried the bill after seeing a boy around town riding his “one-wheeled wonder,” which Duram described as a motorized unicycle equipped with a headlight and taillight. (Electric unicycles have only a wheel and foot platforms — no seat or post. Riders lean forward and backward to control the speed.)

Despite following traffic laws, the boy was riding illegally, Duram said, since seatless devices like his hadn’t been authorized o

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