*** Lynnwood puts brakes on scooters ***

Lynnwood, Washington -- 08/11/2004
Kids ride the scooters,
they ride them fast and they ride them at night.

"These kids are allowed to run wild," said Lynnwood resident
Emilio Aguayo, who lives near Spruce Way in northeast Lynnwood.
"It's another case of when a new toy comes on the market."

Motor scooters aren't regulated by the state, so many cities are
passing laws to deal with safety concerns. The Lynnwood City
Council approved a law 7-0 on Monday that places extensive
restrictions on the use of scooters.

In a separate action, the council also approved an
ordinance requiring all bicycle riders to wear helmets.

The scooter ordinance, among other things, prohibits use
of scooters by anyone under 16, prohibits their use at night
and on arterials, requires they be fitted with mufflers and
requires riders to wear helmets.

The city has received numerous complaints about scooters in
recent months. Most have revolved around noise. Others
expressed concern for the safety of small children and because
many riders do not wear helmets, city crime prevention officer
Trudy Dana said Tuesday.

Dana said she alone has received 60 calls
about scooters in the past few months.

"I'm sure our front desk has them all day, and 911, too,"
she said.

The law was developed by a group of City Council members.
Residents provided comments, said council President Lisa Utter,
but unfortunately not too many scooter riders were involved.

"The utilizers of the scooters were underrepresented,"
Utter admitted.

The penalties for violations are steep: $250 for a first offense
by anyone less than 16, $100 for a first offense by anyone
16 or older, and $250 for each violation after that. Additionally,
the court may take away the scooter at its discretion.

The law also allows a first offender to avoid penalties
by taking a safety class and not incurring more violations
for a year.

Aguayo said riding a scooter can be dangerous. Riders
sometimes crouch down so they can't easily be seen, and
seldom wear helmets or other protection.

The scooter ordinance directs the mayor's office to put together
an education program and calls for police to work with scooter
vendors to develop pamphlets that can be used in schools.

"Officers are going to do their best to educate people
about responsible riding," city administrator Steve Nolen said.

Motorized scooter law for Lynnwood
Every person operating a motorized scooter shall:

* Be at least age 16

* Abide by the same rules of the road as bicycles

* Ride only on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph
or less and no arterials

* Not ride on sidewalks, in city parks, on city property
or any trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited

* Wear a bicycle helmet

* Not ride during hours of darkness
(between half-hour after sunset and half-hour before sunrise)

* Not ride with a passenger

* Ensure the scooter has a muffler.

* Stop, dismount and walk to cross road or make a left turn

Motorized scooter law for Lynnwood
Every person operating a motorized scooter shall:

* Be at least age 16.

* Abide by the same rules of the road as bicycles.

* Ride only on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph
or less and no arterials.

* Not ride on sidewalks, in city parks,
on city property or any trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited.

* Wear a bicycle helmet.

* Not ride during hours of darkness
(between half-hour after sunset and half-hour before sunrise).

* Not ride with a passenger.

* Ensure the scooter has a muffler.

* Stop, dismount and walk to cross a road or make a left turn.

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