EDMONDS – Add Edmonds to the list of cities that have taken action to regulate motor scooters.
The City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 to allow scooters to be used only by people 16 or older and only during daylight hours.
As in some other Snohomish County cities, the law also requires helmets, lights and mufflers. Riders will have to obey the rules of the road and will not be able to use sidewalks or parks.
Mayor Gary Haakenson said he received a lot of calls over the summer from people complaining about scooters. The safety of riders and others and noise were the primary concerns, he said.
Nine people spoke at a public hearing, with most favoring some restrictions. Those who objected were primarily concerned that the age limit was too high.
“I said 14 or 15 because I think they’re more responsible, but I think the other kids are absolutely too young,” resident Nancy Sewell said later.
The speakers’ sentiments were generally reflected within the City Council, with dissenters favoring a lower age limit or no age limit at all, City Council member Michael Plunkett said.
An earlier, more restrictive law would have limited the scooters to state highways, which city attorney Scott Snyder said the city could not regulate. But Plunkett said some adults told him they use scooters in town.
Another provision of the law prevents “cruising,” defined as making a round trip more than once per hour, Police Chief David Stern said.
Violations are punishable by $30 for a first offense, $60 for a second and $100 a the third or subsequent offenses. A scooter also may be confiscated at any time.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
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