*** New CA state law requires license to ride scooters ***

SACRAMENTO, CA (AP) -- 01/02/2005
Come tomorrow, officers who pull over motorized-scooter
riders might ask, "Son, can I see your driver's license?"

A new state law taking effect in the new year will require riders
of motorized scooters - compact two-wheeled devices with an
upright handle - to obtain a regular California driver's license to
operate them on public roads.

The law by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Oakland, also
will ban scooter modifications that increase the decibel level
of a motor, a response to noise complaints received by local
law enforcement agencies.

The licensing requirement enhances an existing law that says
scooter operators be at least 16 years of age. Now, those who
ride scooters - popular largely among adolescents and teenagers
- must pass the same Department of Motor Vehicles tests
necessary for regular automobile use.

"This sends the message that a scooter is a vehicle, not a toy,"
Chan said. "You can't just ride it any way you want. You have
to follow basic traffic laws."

At the same time, the law requires that motorized scooters
use a muffler and meet specified noise requirements. Police
departments heavily backed the new law, citing neighborhood
complaints related to loud scooter engine noise.

Most scooters sold at retail stores come with a stock muffler
intended to dampen noise to proper levels. But some riders
modify equipment to create heavy engine sounds.

"These things held communities hostage, based on the noise
complaints we received," said Sgt. Justin Risley of the Sacramento
Police Department. "You can imagine the frustration with these
things going up and down the street. I think this law will help us
enforce and address those noise complaints."

Jason Gelein, 26, a scooter expert at Surf & Skate in Fair Oaks
said he supports the new scooter laws because he thinks those
riding irresponsibly tarnish the vehicle's image.

His store sells scooters only to adults and requires that they sign
several pages of documents detailing safety tips and state laws.

"Scooters get a bad reputation when these illegal kids are just
jamming around, riding them in and out of traffic," Gelein said.
"You've gotta have respect for other people on the road."

Existing state law allows scooters on residential streets with
speed limits of 25 miles per hour or below and requires that
scooters remain in bicycle lanes on busy streets with higher
speed limits. The law also forbids scooters from sidewalks
and requires riders of all ages to wear helmets.

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