*** City latest to try curbing motorized scooters ***

Issaquah, Washington -- 06/24/2004
Issaquah has become the latest city in the area to restrict
motorized scooters, whose use has spurred complaints
about noise and safety.

Come July 5, riders of gas-powered scooters in Issaquah
must be at least 14 years old and must stay off sidewalks
and streets with higher speed limits.

A similar ordinance was passed by the Seattle City Council's
Transportation Committee yesterday and is scheduled for a
vote by the full council Monday. Councilman Richard Conlin,
sponsor of the proposed Seattle ordinance, said he expects it
will be approved and will take effect by Aug. 1.

Auburn passed a scooter ordinance earlier this month,
and Bellevue and Kirkland are considering restrictions.

Motorized scooters — essentially skateboards with handlebars
and engines — have become more popular recently, and police
have received complaints about reckless drivers and excessive
noise, especially from the louder, faster gas-powered models,
Seattle and Issaquah officials say.

"This is something that parents really need to know about
before they allow their kids to get involved," Conlin said.

Issaquah began working on an ordinance last year, but the
issue became more pressing after many kids received scooters
for Christmas, Police Chief Dave Draveling said. Then in May,
a 15-year-old boy was seriously injured when his scooter hit a
sidewalk dip and he flew into the path of a car.

"The accident, especially on Front Street during a busy time,
was kind of a wake-up call that we needed to do something
soon," said Issaquah City Council President Nancy Davidson.

Now the gas scooters will be allowed only on streets with a
speed limit no higher than 25 mph, including Front Street North,
Sunset Way and most neighborhood streets. King County law
already requires helmets, but the city added a helmet requirement
to reinforce the point. A headlight and rear reflector are required
at night.

In Seattle, the current proposal sets a minimum age of 16 for users
of gas scooters. They wouldn't be allowed to travel on sidewalks
or public paths, including the Burke-Gilman Trail. A muffler,
brakes and night lighting would be required.

The Seattle law also goes further than Issaquah's by limiting the
use of electric scooters and Segway vehicles. They would be
barred from public paths, bike lanes and busy streets, but could
remain on sidewalks and most streets with lower speed limits.

Yale Wong, the owner of Galaxy Scooters in Seattle, says the
age requirement would cut his thriving business by at least a third.
He said he currently sells about 100 scooters a month. Kids under
16 want a scooter because they don't have a driver's license.

Earlier this month, Auburn passed restrictions for gas and electric
scooters. Riders there must be at least 16, stay out of downtown
and city parks, and off sidewalks and streets with a speed limit
higher than 25 mph.

In Issaquah, police said they will focus in the beginning on casual
warnings and educating people about the new rules. But violators
could be fined $50. "One of the best opportunities for [scooter users],
to keep this from being more of a problem in Issaquah, is to exercise
good judgment," said Councilman Hank Thomas.

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