Chapter 12.16
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES
Sections:
12.16.030 General prohibition.
12.16.040 Additional areas of prohibition.
12.16.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect public health, safety and welfare by prohibiting the use and operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices (“EPAMDs”), as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 313 (as the same may be amended from time to time), within the downtown business district of the City of Healdsburg. The City Council finds that the use and operation of EPAMDs on all sidewalks, walkways and pathways in the downtown business district jeopardizes public health and safety because such use and operation puts pedestrians at risk of being injured or being forced off public sidewalks, walkways and pathways to avoid injury. The further purpose of this chapter is to allow owners of private property that is held open to the public to prohibit or restrict the use and operation of EPAMDs if such property is properly posted with warnings that such use and operation is prohibited and/or restricted. This chapter is enacted pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21282. (Ord. 1000 § 1, 2003. Code 1964 § 13C-010.)
12.16.020 Definitions.
The following terms shall be used in the context and have the meanings described below.
A. “Downtown business district” shall mean that area within the City limits of the City of Healdsburg that is bounded (1) on the south by the south side of Mill Street extending east from the intersection of Mill Street and Healdsburg Avenue to the east side of East Street; (2) on the east by the east side of East Street extending north from Mill Street to Piper Street; (3) on the north by the north side of Piper Street extending west from East Street to Healdsburg Avenue, then extending north on Healdsburg Avenue to Grant Street, then extending west on Grant Street to the Northwest Pacific Railroad right-of-way; (4) on the west along the Northwest Pacific Railroad right-of-way extending from Grant Street to the intersection of Mill Street and Healdsburg Avenue.
B. “Electric personal assistive mobility device” or “EPAMD” means a self-balancing, nontandem, two-wheeled device that can turn in place, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system averaging less than 750 watts (1 horsepower), the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is less than 12.5 miles per hour.
C. “Pedestrian” shall not, for any purposes, be deemed to include a person who is using an “electric personal assistive mobility device,” as defined in Section 313 of the Vehicle Code, as the same may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 1000 § 1, 2003. Code 1964 § 13C-020.)
12.16.030 General prohibition.
It shall be unlawful to use or operate an electric personal assistive mobility device on any sidewalk, walkway, or pathway located within the downtown business district. This prohibition shall not apply where an electric personal assistive mobility device is being operated as part of an activity or event for which a permit allowing such devices has been issued by the City of Healdsburg. (Ord. 1000 § 1, 2003. Code 1964 § 13C-030.)
12.16.040 Additional areas of prohibition.
It shall be unlawful to use or operate an electric personal assistive mobility device on any private property that is otherwise held open to the public if the owner or lawful occupant of said private property has placed signs in sufficient numbers and locations on such property to provide notice that such use or operation is either prohibited or restricted in some specified manner. (Ord. 1000 § 1, 2003. Code 1964 § 13C‑040.)
12.16.050 Penalties.
Any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction and, upon the conviction thereof, shall be punished for the first offense, by a warning or a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00; and for a second offense, and each additional offense within a 12-month period, by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00. (Ord. 1000 § 1, 2003. Code 1964 § 13C-050.)