*** Right way to regulate motor scooters ***

Belmont, MA (AP) -- 11/14/2004
By now, everyone has seen motorized scooters, the latest fad
in recreation, on and around streets all over Massachusetts.

Because of a number of accidents, the Legislature recognized
that these vehicles are potentially very dangerous in densely
settled areas and on our roadways, and saw the need to
regulate motorized scooters for the safety of all.

A bill to regulate motorized scooters by adding these vehicles
to the motorized bicycle statute moved smoothly through the
Legislature until early this fall. At that time, a number of amendments
were added to the bill by the Senate, placing further restrictions on
both motorized bicycles and scooters. Such restrictions, such as not
allowing either of these vehicles to be ridden before dawn or after
dusk, were seen as problematic for those who use motorized bicycles
for commuting to work.

At this point, numerous other problems with the legislation also arose:
differentiating motorized scooters from motorcycles and motorized
wheelchairs; setting appropriate fines for violations;
and also adding regulations for the newly popular Segways.

In order to work out these issues, I sat down with other legislators
to discuss our concerns and differences. I suggested creating a new
statute to deal specifically with motorized scooters, rather than
lumping
them in with motorized bikes. Because motorized bicycles and scooters
are vehicles with different purposes, this made more sense for the
legislation.

The group of legislators also drafted language which differentiates
scooters from other types of motorized vehicles. While initially,
some legislators wanted to include Segways in this legislation, it
was finally decided to regulate Segways through a different bill.

This version of the motorized scooter bill that has been worked
on by a number of legislators with differing concerns was engrossed
by the House of Representatives last week. It regulates motorized
scooters with two or three wheels in several ways:

Riders must have a driver's license or learner's permit.

Riders must wear a helmet or other protective headgear.

Riders may not ride faster than 20 mph.

They must not ride on sidewalks.

Unlike motorized bicycles,
scooters must be equipped with directional turn signals.

Scooter riders may not ride after dark or before dawn.

Riders must obey other traffic laws for motor vehicles.

Although the motorized scooter bill took a number of weeks
to be finalized and engrossed by the Legislature, the debate and
discussion over the regulations created a much stronger and safer
bill than the original. Hopefully, the Senate will pass the legislation
quickly and, with the addition of an emergency preamble which
will put the new law into effect immediately, further accidents will
be avoided.

Gene`s BMX Applauds To The Crack Downs On Motorized Scooters
http://www.genesbmx.com/scooters.html
( concerns, laws & news ) "Motorized Scooters are NOT bicycles",

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
All Things Northwest in BMX!
***** Gene`s BMX *****
http://www.genesbmx.com