Chapter 10.66
MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS
Sections:
10.66.010 Motorized foot scooters – Defined.
10.66.020 Motorized foot scooters – General requirements and operation.
10.66.060 Traffic laws apply to persons operating motorized foot scooters.
10.66.070 Violation and penalties.
10.66.010 Motorized foot scooters – Defined.
“Motorized foot scooter” means a device with no more than two 10-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. (Ord. 1581 § 2, 2004).
10.66.020 Motorized foot scooters – General requirements and operation.
A. Operators shall not:
1. Operate a motorized foot scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
2. Operate a motorized foot scooter on a roadway, highway, or public way with a designated speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized foot scooter is operated within a designated bicycle lane.
3. Operate a motorized foot scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened helmet as defined in PMC 10.66.030.
4. Operate a motorized foot scooter when the operator is under the age of 16 years.
5. Operate a motorized foot scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.
6. Operate a motorized foot scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
7. Operate a motorized foot scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
8. Leave a motorized foot scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized foot scooter on a sidewalk in any other position so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.
9. Attach the motorized foot scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway.
B. General Use Requirements.
1. When motorized foot scooters are in use during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020 shall be equipped with:
a. A lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and
b. A red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the State Patrol which shall be visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
2. Every motorized foot scooter operated within the city of Pacific must be equipped with a muffler as defined in RCW 46.04.340 in proper working order to prevent excessive noise.
3. Any person operating a motorized foot scooter upon a highway shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway.
4. When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 46.61 RCW. (Ord. 1581 § 3, 2004).
10.66.030 Helmet defined.
“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 required by the Federal Consumer Products Safety Commission as adopted by the Code of Federal Regulations 16 CFR 1203. (Ord. 1581 § 4, 2004).
10.66.040 Helmet required.
A. Any person operating a motorized foot scooter on any public area in the city of Pacific shall wear an approved helmet designed for safety and shall have either the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely while the motorized foot scooter is in motion.
B. Any person violating the provision of this section shall be deemed to have committed a traffic infraction and shall be subject to a penalty. (Ord. 1581 § 5, 2004).
10.66.060 Traffic laws apply to persons operating motorized foot scooters.
Traffic laws apply to persons operating motorized foot scooters. Every person riding a motorized foot scooter upon a public way shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle pursuant to Chapter 46.61 RCW except as to special regulations in RCW 46.61.750 through 46.61.780 and except as to those provisions of Chapter 46.61 RCW which by their nature can have no application. (Ord. 1581 § 6, 2004).
10.66.070 Violation and penalties.
Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished as follows:
A. Operators Over the Age of 16. Any person 16 years of age or older found in violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of $25.00. A second or subsequent offense by a violator under this section is punishable by a fine of $100.00 and will subject the motorized foot scooter to impoundment by the police department.
B. Operators Under the Age of 16.
1. First offense: Written warning to parents or guardians (as defined in PMC 10.54.050) which explains the fine schedule and impoundment procedure.
2. Second offense: Imposition of a $25.00 fine against the parents or guardians.
3. Third offense: Imposition of a $100.00 fine assessed against parents or guardians, and impoundment of the motorized foot scooter. (Ord. 1581 § 7, 2004).
10.66.080 Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, chapter, provision, or phrase of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is found to be unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the chapter or the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances. (Ord. 1581 § 8, 2004).