*** No Scooters Allowed on Sunnyside Streets ***



SUNNYSIDE, WASHINGTON — 08/11/2004

Youths looking for a fast and cheap mode of

transportation can scratch one option: motorized scooters.



The City Council approved an emergency ordinance

Monday night that bans the scooters in downtown

Sunnyside and on streets with speed limits above 25 mph.



In addition, scooter drivers are required to wear helmets,

obey traffic laws, be at least 16 years old and drive solo.

And the ordinance mandates that scooters be equipped

with a brake, muffler, light and reflectors.



The new rules, which took effect Tuesday, are based on similar

restrictions enforced by other cities such as Yakima, Sunnyside

City Manager Bob Stockwell said.



However, unlike in Yakima, scooter-riders in Sunnyside

do not have to possess a valid driver's license.



Violation of the new rules is a misdemeanor and carries a fine

of up to $250, which exceeds the purchase price of many

motorized scooters. In some cases the scooter may be impounded.



Stockwell said the push to regulate scooters started in

May as a response to residents' concerns about safety issues.



"We are observing a lot of violations. They have absolutely no

protection, and when they do push it too far it will be a tragedy,"

he said.



The ordinance defines motorized scooters as devices with wheels

that are 12 inches in diameter or smaller, steered by handlebars

and powered by an internal-combustion or electric motor.



City officials plan to enlist school-resource officers to help

spread the word about the new rules when students head

back to school in two weeks.



Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA

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