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| City to draft scooter regulations, seek public comment |
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From geneb2@... Thu Jun 17 00:53:51 2004
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From: Geneb <geneb2@...>
Subject: City to draft scooter regulations, seek public comment
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*** City to draft scooter regulations, seek public comment ***
Eugene, Oregon -- 06/17/2004
The Eugene City Council on Monday decided that it wants to
hear from the public about noise and safety concerns raised by
the use of motor-assisted scooters on the city's bike paths.
Councilors unanimously directed the city staff to develop a
list of possible regulations that could deal mainly with excess
speed and noise on the city's bike paths and bike lanes.
The council took up the issue in a work session prompted by
complaints from residents about gas- and electric-powered
scooters on the city's bike paths and bike lanes.
The scooters look like skateboards with handlebars, have
small rear-mounted engines, and, in some cases, seats.
Some teenagers and young adults prefer the gas-powered models,
which allow them to go faster than the 15 mph speed limit on city paths.
Some riders remove their scooters' mufflers, which makes them
particularly noisy.
Diane Bishop, the city's bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, told
councilors that some bicyclists, runners and walkers object to
sharing the paths with scooters, especially the gas-powered variety,
because of their speed and noise.
Scooters "are the new kids on the block," she said.
"They are still kind of finding their way in the world."
Councilor Betty Taylor, who called for the work session, said
scooters are a safety hazard on bike paths and in on-street bike
lanes. "I'm appalled that they don't have to have a driver's license,
because they are motorized vehicles," she said.
Taylor attempted a motion that would direct the staff to write an
ordinance banning scooters from the bike paths and bike lanes,
but it failed for lack of support.
Instead, councilors decided that they want to have an in-depth
discussion about possible regulations, which would involve citizen
input. If an ordinance is proposed, that would require a public
hearing, for example.
"Let's get the public process started, and see what people
have to say," said Councilor George Poling.
Some councilors said the city should be careful not to ban particular
types of vehicles from paths or bike lanes when bicyclists can speed
and be as careless as scooter users.
"I don't want us to (develop regulations) based on the characteristics
of the contraption," said Councilor Nancy Nathanson.
Eugene police Sgt. Derel Schulz said many people are unfamiliar
with the laws governing motor-assisted scooters, including that only
people 16 years and older can ride them and they must wear a helmet.
Many residents don't know that it's illegal to ride them on paths in
city
parks, but legal to ride them on paths outside of parks, he said.
Part of the problem is that some retailers don't inform scooter
buyers of the rules, Schulz said. "I don't believe this is a fad,"
he said of scooters. "If anything, we are going to see more of these."
Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
All Things Northwest in BMX!
***** Gene`s BMX *****
http://www.genesbmx.com
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