Man Travels at 65 MPH on Electric Scooter along a Texas Interstate and Amazingly Survives

      Pyi Phyo via Storyful

      On a Texas Sunday morning, as daylight breaks, a man can be seen traveling down the interstate, dressed casually in a t-shirt and shorts. This occurrence would be rather unremarkable if not for the fact that he’s riding an electric scooter at highway speeds.

      A recent video shared by Pyi Phyo features a tall man riding what appears to be an electric scooter, nonchalantly speeding through Amarillo, Texas. While he is not wearing any protective gear (unless you consider closed-toe shoes as such), this is not against the law in Texas. However, cruising along the interstate at such high speeds is definitely prohibited.

      According to the Texas Transportation Code, motor-assisted scooters “may be operated only on a street or highway with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.” Therefore, Interstate 40 is indeed not a permissible route.

      In this westbound stretch of the freeway, the speed limit is set at 60 mph with a minimum of 45 mph. Yet, the unidentified man appears to be keeping pace with cars and trucks, maintaining a speed of 65 mph—right in the middle lane. He doesn’t seem to be attempting to hide his actions.

      However, he absolutely should not be on the interstate. If you're curious about helmet regulations, Texas does have some rules regarding protective headgear, but they are quite lax. Some cities impose helmet requirements for riders of bicycles and scooters, but there is no overarching state law. Moreover, any local regulations typically apply only to individuals under 18 years old.

      In the context of motorcycles, the transportation code mandates helmet use, though riders are exempt if they have completed a motorcycle safety course or possess health insurance that covers injuries from accidents. This might be the most indirect way to enforce helmet use.

      Call me crazy, but if you’ve taken a safety course, wouldn’t you be more inclined to wear a helmet? My mother tells me I’m hard-headed, but I always wear my helmet whether I’m on a motorized bike or not. Any sudden movement for this scooter rider could lead to serious road rash.

      Still, electric scooters can indeed zoom. A quick online search reveals a variety of models boasting top speeds of 50 mph, priced at just a couple thousand dollars. And similar to e-bikes, these speeds can be surpassed, especially when going downhill on a smooth surface. A full-sized rider on a hill? That’s fast. Opt for a higher voltage battery model, and hitting 60 mph becomes achievable.

      Whether this adventurous man modified his scooter is uncertain, as the video only lasts a few seconds, leaving few details. But if you happen to be driving in the west side of Amarillo and spot this local thrill-seeker, consider pulling alongside him and asking what’s going through his mind—if you can catch up to him, that is.