*** Eugene Ordinance would bar motorized scooters ***

Eugene, Oregon -- 09/19/2004
Scooters have no more business motoring along Eugene's
off-street bike paths than raindrops do falling on the Eugene
Celebration.

The Eugene City Council made the right call Wednesday in
directing city staff to draft an ordinance forbidding scooters
and other "motorized transportation devices" from the city's
32-mile network of off-street bike paths.

As most bike riders, pedestrians and joggers will readily attest,
motorized scooters, especially those of the gas-powered variety,
are an unwelcome presence on paths that were built with people
-powered propulsion in mind. Electric scooters and bicycles with
electric motors are significantly less intrusive, but the council's
inclination to also ban them from off-street bike paths provides
legal clarity for scooter users and police who will be charged with
enforcing the new city ordinance.

By directing that the proposed ordinance exempt electric
wheelchairs and other equipment used by people with disabilities,
the council took appropriate care to protect the needs of people
with disabilities who may have no other means of traveling on the
bike paths and through the city parks they intersect.

The city already has a set of rules that govern the use of motor
-assisted scooters. But the recent boom in sales of inexpensive
scooters has highlighted the need for a comprehensive update of
the rules, which time and technology have rendered obsolete.

Scooter users made a passionate case in public hearings that they
should be allowed to use the bike paths. They argue that the majority
of scooter users use the paths responsibly, obeying the city's 15 mph
speed limit and showing proper respect for other users. They also
cite the lack of safety on city streets and the desirability of scooters

for commuting, recreation and other uses.

Those are all reasonable arguments. But the fact remains that the
bike paths were not designed for use by scooters, particularly those
of the gas-powered variety. While the majority of scooter users may
obey the rules, those who don't create a major disruption and pose
an unacceptable safety hazard.

Meanwhile, it appears that scooter users will have a viable alternative
- the on-street bike lanes that run throughout the city. The council
prudently resisted Councilor Betty Taylor's urging to prohibit all
scooters from on-street bike lanes as well. Such a move would force
scooter users into general traffic lanes, creating unacceptable safety
risks for both scooter riders and traditional motorists.

If approved by the council, the scooter ordinance should be
accompanied by an effort to educate the public about the new
rules, which also include a speed limit of 15 mph, a minimum
age of 16 years and a requirement that users wear helmets.

As for scooter users who yearn to travel the city's wonderful
network of off-street bike paths, they should lace up some walking
or running shoes or climb on a bicycle - and then savor the peace
and quiet of the city's off-street bike paths.

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
All Things Northwest in BMX!
***** Gene`s BMX *****
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