Chapter 10.46
MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS
Sections:
10.46.020 Operation of motorized foot scooters.
10.46.030 Parent responsibility.
10.46.050 Seizure and forfeiture.
10.46.010 Definitions.
The following terms shall have the following meaning in this chapter:
“Child” means any person less than eighteen years of age.
“Guardian” means: (1) a person who, under court order, is the guardian of the person of a juvenile; or (2) a public or private agency with whom a juvenile has been placed by a court; or (3) a person who is at least eighteen years of age and authorized by a parent or guardian to have care and custody of a juvenile.
“Helmet” means a protective covering for the head consisting of a hard outer shell, padding adjacent to and inside the hard shell, and a neck or chin strap type retention system with a label required by the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission adopted by the Code of Federal Regulations 16 CFR 1203, as the same exists now or may hereafter be amended.
“Motorized foot scooter” means a device with not more than two ten-inch or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. For purposes of Title 10 of the Bridgeport Municipal Code, a “scooter” is a nonmotorized two-wheeled device. To the extent other provisions of this title regulate the use of “scooters” in the city, such regulations shall not apply to “motorized foot scooters” as “motorized foot scooters” are regulated by the provisions of this chapter.
“Parent” means a person who is the natural parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, or foster parent of a juvenile. (Ord. 552 § 1 (part), 2005)
10.46.020 Operation of motorized foot scooters.
The following regulations shall apply to the operation of motorized foot scooters in the city:
A. Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated upon a public roadway by any person under sixteen years of age.
B. Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated on public roadways with a speed limit of greater than twenty-five miles per hour.
C. Operators of motorized foot scooters shall adhere to all rules of the road applicable to motorized vehicles.
D. Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated on city-owned property, city parks, walkways, paths, sidewalks, or any other place where other motorized vehicles are expressly prohibited.
E. Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated at any time during one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise without reflectors which are approved by the state patrol.
F. At no time shall a passenger be allowed to ride on a motorized foot scooter.
G. Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated in a negligent manner upon any roadway or city way within the city of Bridgeport. For the purpose of this chapter, “to operate in a negligent manner” means to operate a motorized foot scooter in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property, or to obstruct, hinder or impede the lawful course of travel of any motor vehicle or lawful use by any pedestrian on public streets, sidewalks, alleys, parking areas, trails or public parks within the city of Bridgeport.
H. Motorized foot scooters shall be equipped so that the drive motor is engaged through a switch lever or other mechanism that when released will cause the drive motor to disengage or cease to function.
I. Noise Restriction. Operation of a gas motorized foot scooter without a muffling device, or operation with a modified muffling device is unlawful. (Ord. 552 § 1 (part), 2005)
10.46.030 Parent responsibility.
It is unlawful for any parent, guardian or other person having control or custody of a child to allow such child to operate a motorized foot scooter in violation of this chapter. (Ord. 552 § 1 (part), 2005)
10.46.040 Violation.
The Douglas County sheriff’s office personnel shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter. Upon determining a violation of this chapter has occurred, the law enforcement officers may, at their discretion, issue a civil infraction in the following amounts to any person, including a parent or guardian, violating any of the provisions of this chapter. For the first violation, the monetary penalty amount shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars. Any second or subsequent violation of this chapter within one year of the first offense shall not exceed five hundred dollars. In addition to issuing an infraction, law enforcement officers may impound the motorized foot scooter pursuant to Section 10.46.050 of this chapter. (Ord. 552 § 1 (part), 2005)
10.46.050 Seizure and forfeiture.
All motorized foot scooters operated in violation of this chapter are subject to seizure and forfeiture in the following manner:
A. First Seizure. Any person who has property seized for the first time pursuant to this chapter may prevent forfeiture of such property by contacting the sheriff’s office in writing within ten days of receipt of a notice of violation and requesting the property be returned. In the event a request for the return of the property is received by the sheriff’s office within the ten-day period, the sheriff’s office shall return the property to the person within twenty days of receipt of such written request for return of the property.
B. Second Seizure. Any person who has property seized a second time pursuant to this chapter within a period of one year following the first seizure, may prevent forfeiture of such property by contacting the sheriff’s office in writing within ten days of receipt of the notice of violation and requesting the property be returned. In addition to such timely written request, any person requesting return of property seized a second time pursuant to this chapter shall provide to the sheriff’s office proof of payment of all monetary penalties imposed by the court for any violations of this chapter arising out of the offense related to the second seizure incident and all prior violations of this chapter. Upon receipt of a timely request for return of the property, and evidence of payment of all monetary penalties imposed by the court which must be provided to the sheriff’s office within thirty days of the date of the second seizure, the sheriff’s office shall return the property within forty days of receipt of the written request for the return of the seized property.
C. All property still in the possession of the sheriff’s office following a first seizure or second seizure, and the failure of the person who has the property seized to avoid forfeiture, the property shall become property of the city. (Ord. 552 § 1 (part), 2005)