Chapter 10.50
MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS
Sections:
10.50.020 Duty to obey traffic-control devices and rules of the road.
10.50.030 Unsafe use prohibited.
10.50.050 Requirements for operating motorized foot scooters.
10.50.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
“Central downtown area” means that portion of the city of Ocean Shores abutting Point Brown Avenue from the city gates to Albatross Street NW, and Ocean Shores Blvd NW from the city gates to Frigate Street NW, and the area in between, that portion of the city abutting E Chance ala Mer NE from Pt. Brown Avenue NE to Dolphin Avenue NE, and abutting J.K. Lewis Street NE to Dolphin Avenue NE.
“Helmet” means a protective covering for the head consisting of a hard outer shell, padding adjacent to and inside the outer shell, and a neck or chin strap type retention system, with a label as required by the Federal Consumer Products Safety Commission and as adopted by the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) at 16 C.F.R. 1203.
“Motorized foot scooter” means a device with no more than two ten-inch or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be stood upon but may have a seat, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. A motor-driven cycle, a moped, a handicap-assistive motorized scooter, a mini-motorcycle/chopper, or a motorcycle is not a motorized foot scooter.
“To operate in a negligent manner” means the operation of a motorized foot scooter in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. Examples of operating in a negligent manner include, but are not limited to, failure to obey all traffic control devices, and failure to yield-of-way to pedestrians and/or vehicular traffic. (Ord. 779 § 1 (part), 2004)
10.50.020 Duty to obey traffic-control devices and rules of the road.
Any person operating a motorized foot scooter shall obey all rules of the road applicable to vehicle or pedestrian traffic, as well as the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (Ord. 779 § 1 (part), 2004)
10.50.030 Unsafe use prohibited.
No motorized foot scooter shall be operated in a negligent manner. All motorized foot scooters shall be operated with reasonable regard for the safety of the operator and other persons. (Ord. 779 § 1 (part), 2004)
10.50.040 Prohibited areas.
It is unlawful for any person to operate any motorized foot scooter upon any sidewalk, pathway, city park, publicly-owned parking lot, privately-owned parking lot without the permission of the owner, the central downtown area, areas of the beach closed to motor vehicles, or streets with a maximum speed limit above twenty-five miles per hour. (Ord. 779 § 1 (part), 2004)
10.50.050 Requirements for operating motorized foot scooters.
No person shall operate a motorized foot scooter within the city limits unless the following requirements are met. 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:
A. Minimum Age. No motorized foot scooter shall be operated on any street or other public area not otherwise prohibited by this chapter unless the operator is at least sixteen years of age.
B. Helmet Required. Any person operating a motorized foot scooter upon any public area in the city of Ocean Shores shall wear an approved helmet.
C. Passengers. No person shall transport or tow another person on, in or with a motorized foot scooter upon any public area within the city of Ocean Shores.
D. Lighting Required. Every motorized foot scooter operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before dawn shall be equipped with a lamp on the front, which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front.
E. Reflector Required. Every motorized foot scooter operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before dawn shall be equipped with a red reflector on the rear of the scooter in the manner and of a type approved by the Washington State Patrol. Said reflector shall be visible from all distances up to six hundred feet to the rear.
F. Mirrors Required. Every motorized foot scooter shall be equipped with mirrors on the left side and right side of the handlebars which shall be so located as to give the driver a complete view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of the scooter.
G. Brakes Required. Every motorized foot scooter shall be equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
H. Muffler Required. Every gas motorized foot scooter shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise. The use of a cutout, bypass, or similar muffler elimination device, is prohibited on any gas motorized foot scooter.
(Ord. 779 § 1 (part), 2004)
10.50.060 Violation—Penalty.
Violations of this chapter are a Class 3 civil infraction with a maximum penalty of fifty dollars plus statutory assessments. However, violations which constitute criminal traffic offenses may be charged as such and are subject to the maximum penalties allowed for such offenses. (Ord. 779 § 1 (part), 2004)