Chapter 16.46
SKATEBOARDS, COASTERS, SCOOTERS, ROLLER SKATES AND ROLLER BLADES
Sections:
16.46.020 Obedience to traffic control devices.
16.46.030 Operation of skateboards, scooters, roller skates and roller blades.
16.46.040 Operation of skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates and roller blades after dark.
16.46.045 Seizure and forfeiture.
16.46.050 Riding on sidewalks prohibited in business districts.
16.46.060 Clinging to motor vehicles.
16.46.070 Violation – Penalty.
16.46.080 Unlawful operation prohibited.
16.46.010 Applicability.
(a) The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
(b) These regulations applicable to skateboards, coasters, scooters, roller skates and roller blades shall apply whenever a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates and roller blades are operated upon any street, sidewalk, or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of vehicles, subject to those exceptions stated herein. (Ord. 1289 § 2, 2001; Ord. 854 § 1, 1987).
16.46.015 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) “Recreational vehicle” means nonmotorized skateboards, roller skates, roller blades and scooters.
(b) “Roller skates” means a pair of shoes or boots mounted upon two sets of wheels, or mounted upon three or more sets of wheels, located one behind the other under the attached shoe or boot, and is most often propelled by the user in an upright-standing position.
(c) “Scooter” means a footboard mounted upon two or more wheels, controlled by an upright steering handle, and is most often propelled by the user usually in an upright position or kneeling.
(d) “Skateboard” means a board of any material with wheels affixed to the underside, designed to be ridden by a person.
(e) Definition of Riding. For purposes of this chapter, a person is deemed to be “riding” a skateboard if he/she is standing with one or both feet touching the skateboard, crouching, sitting or lying upon the skateboard while it is in motion.
(f) “Guardian” means a parent, legal guardian, adult with custody, or temporary guardian who maintains responsibility, whether voluntary or otherwise, for the safety and welfare of a person under the age of 18 years.
(g) “Public area” means public roadways, bicycle paths, parks, or any right-of-way, publicly owned facility or publicly owned property within the city of Fircrest. (Ord. 1372 § 1, 2005).
16.46.020 Obedience to traffic control devices.
(a) Any person operating a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates and roller blades shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no person operating a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates and roller blades shall disobey the direction of any such sign, except where such person dismounts from the skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates and roller blades to make any such turn, in which event such person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians. (Ord. 1289 § 3, 2001; Ord. 854 § 2, 1987).
16.46.030 Operation of skateboards, scooters, roller skates and roller blades.
No person riding upon a skateboard, scooter, roller skates or roller blades shall go upon any roadway or sidewalk or publicly owned parking lot in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. No person riding a skateboard, scooter, roller skates or roller blades shall restrict the flow of vehicle traffic in any manner whatsoever. When operating a skateboard, scooter, roller skates or roller blades upon any street, a skateboard rider, scooter rider, roller skater or roller blader shall ride with the flow of traffic and ride as close to the curb as possible. (Ord. 1372 § 2, 2005; Ord. 1289 § 4, 2001; Ord. 854 § 3, 1987).
16.46.040 Operation of skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates and roller blades after dark.
No person shall operate a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates and roller blades upon a street or sidewalk during the hours between a half hour after sunset and half hour before sunrise without wearing a reflective device on both the front and back of the skateboard rider, coaster rider, scooter rider, roller skater or roller blader. (Ord. 1289 § 5, 2001; Ord. 854 § 4, 1987).
16.46.045 Seizure and forfeiture.
All skateboards, scooters, roller skates or roller blades 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 said property by contacting the Fircrest police department within 10 days of receipt of notice of violation and request the property be returned. All monetary penalties imposed must be paid prior to release of seized property.
(b) Second Seizure. Any person who has property seized a second time pursuant to this chapter may cause the property to be impounded for a period of no less than 10 days from receipt of notice of violation. All monetary penalties imposed must be paid prior to the release of property.
(c) Third and Future Seizures. Any person who has property seized three or more times pursuant to this chapter shall cause the property to be subject to forfeiture. The Fircrest chief of police, or designee, may apply to the court for an order of forfeiture in accordance with RCW 35.20.250. (Ord. 1372 § 3, 2005).
16.46.050 Riding on sidewalks prohibited in business districts.
(a) No person shall ride a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates or roller blades upon a sidewalk within a business district.
(b) The police chief is authorized to erect signs on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of skateboards, coasters, scooters, roller skates and roller blades thereon by any person and when such signs are in place, no person shall disobey them.
(c) Whenever any person is riding a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates or roller blades upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian so as not to endanger the safety of the pedestrian. (Ord. 1289 § 6, 2001; Ord. 854 § 5, 1987).
16.46.060 Clinging to motor vehicles.
Any person riding upon any skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates or roller blades shall not attach the same or himself to any moving vehicle upon any roadway. (Ord. 1289 § 7, 2001; Ord. 854 § 6, 1987).
16.46.070 Violation – Penalty.
Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a monetary penalty in the amount of $101.00. Each act in violation of any of the provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate traffic infraction offense. A monetary penalty of $52.00 shall also be imposed for failure to respond to a notice of infraction relating to any violation of this chapter. (Ord. 1372 § 4, 2005; Ord. 1289 § 8, 2001; Ord. 1034 § 3, 1993; Ord. 854 § 7, 1987).
16.46.080 Unlawful operation prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates or roller blades in a negligent manner upon any street, sidewalk or publicly owned parking lot. For the purpose of this section, “to operate in a negligent manner” means the operation of a skateboard, coaster, scooter, roller skates or roller blades in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Ord. 1289 § 9, 2001).