*** Opinion - In Our View: Scooter Danger ***

Clark County, Washington -- 06/21/2004
It's fun, it's noisy and it's dangerous. That's why we insist on raining

on the motorized-scooter craze that's been showering down on
Vancouver.

As Scott Hewitt reported in a Thursday story, "Motorized foot
scooters a danger to young drivers," these devices have replaced
skateboards and bicycles for some kids. And with speeds of as
much as 15 mph for electric models and 30 mph or more for those
with gas-powered engines, these so-called children's toys can come
with adult-size consequences. That's why they demand a response
from local governments.

The city of Vancouver has been fielding complaints for two months
about children's use of these machines. We applaud the city's quick
response. A traffic safety committee has been assigned to look at
legislation adopted in other jurisdictions as Vancouver prepares its
own rules.

State law is essentially useless in the case of modern powerboards.
It treats scooters the same as bicycles, despite the vast differences
between a motor-powered, no-work, no-think fast ride for kids
and a deliberate, slower, human-powered one. At the local level,
though, several cities in Washington state have imposed minimum
age requirements for public scooter use that range from 13 to 16.
Other scooter restrictions across the state include banning them
from sidewalks, employing a muffler and requiring scooter drivers
to wear helmets, use signals and headlights for the safety of scooter
users and drivers who share the same streets.

Being a "driver" is perhaps the biggest draw for kids in regard to
this product. A Seattle Post-Intelligencer story quoted 13-year-old
Evan Migliorie saying, "I like how you don't have to do anything but
just stand there and, like, just let go." He added, "It's kind of like
driving a real car."

Bingo. Thanks to Evan for saying it, so we don't have to argue
the point. And if 13-year-olds can see this is like driving a real
car, adults would be remiss not to act.

We think an ordinance in Vancouver must recognize that a person
younger than the legal driving age should not be considered fit for
the road. Traffic laws cannot be honored by kids or teens who
don't even know them.Unfortunately for youngsters, endorsing the
use of scooters on sidewalks, given their power and speed, is also
unacceptable, leaving powerboards for use on private property or
perhaps vacant parking lots. And how nice if they were used by
younger children only under the supervision of a parent.

The one benefit of so many limitations that kids and parents might thank

cities for later might be that the decreased scooter use could translate

into more physical activities.

Society already bemoans children's fast-food and TV-watching habits.
The last thing they need is a toy that requires them to "just stand
there
and, like, just let go."

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
All Things Northwest in BMX!
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