*** No Yielding to Young Scooter Riders ***

Yakima, Washington -- 07/08/2004
Despite the pleadings of five 10- and 12-year-old boys Tuesday,
the Yakima City Council passed an ordinance requiring scooter-riders
to be 16 years old and possess a valid driver's license.

The ordinance, which passed 5-2, applies to both gas and electric
scooters and requires riders to wear bike helmets, and use lights
and reflectors at night.

The cities of Selah and Union Gap are also considering similar
regulations. Riders can't travel down sidewalks or on streets in
the city's central business district, which encompasses more than
40 blocks bordered by Eighth, Naches and Lincoln avenues and
Walnut Street. Violations carry a $250 fine.

Police will likely escort underage riders
home should they find them on city streets.

Before now, there has been no age-requirement or other regulations
for riding the motorized, two-wheeled gizmos. They've become
increasingly popular as the price has dropped from $1,000 to as
low as $100.

So far, there have been a few accidents in the city of Yakima,
none of them fatal.

Scooters, as defined by the ordinance, have two wheels that
measure 12 inches or less in diameter and are powered by a motor.
The distinction between a scooter and a motorcycle is the placement
of the wheels. The motor on a scooter sits behind the wheels while a
motorcycle's engine is between the two wheels.

State law considers the new miniature motorcycles to be the same
as full-sized ones, and requires riders to be 16 and have a driver's
license.

Twelve-year-old Kevin Mattson has been riding an electric scooter
to and from school for the past two years. His mom, Sharon, told
the council that prohibiting her son from riding a scooter would
change their family tremendously. Kevin has grown to depend on
his scooter as a means of transportation and it's taught him
responsibility,
she said.

The other boys argued that there's a big difference between electric
and gas-powered scooters. Electric motors don't go as fast
— eight miles per hour compared to 30 — and hum quietly
while the gas motors sound like lawnmowers.

"Gas scooters are obnoxiously loud ... and electric scooters save
gas," Jacob Dixon, 10, told the council. Dixon saved over $300
to buy his scooter two years ago, according to his mom Kya.

Councilman Ron Bonlender voted against the ordinance, arguing
the council should make an exception for the quieter, slower
electric scooters.

Mayor Paul George also opposed the measure saying the council
has no place legislating on this matter. It's a decision that should
be left up to parents and their kids, he said.

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
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