More and more cities in Snohomish County are regulating motorized scooters.
Most of the laws say scooter riders must follow the rules of the road, like bicyclists, and no passengers are allowed.
Some regulations include stiff penalties. For example, in Everett, police can confiscate scooters ridden by anyone under age 16. Parents or guardians have to pay $50 to get the scooter back. In Lynnwood, fines range from $100 to $250. Violators in Mountlake Terrace face a $50 fine.
Following is a roundup of the laws in cities in the county:
Arlington
Drivers must be at least age 16, wear a helmet and may not tow or be towed by anyone. Motors must have an automatic kill switch. Scooters cannot be driven on sidewalks, city paths or parks, on roads with speed limits exceeding 25 mph, except those with bike lanes, and may not be driven after 7 p.m. Drivers must dismount and walk the scooter through a crosswalk when making a left turn.
Bothell
The city has not considered a law yet, city representative Joyce Goedeke said.
Edmonds
City Council members have been studying regulations in other cities, but no proposals are on the table, Mayor Gary Haakenson said. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7.
Everett
An ordinance approved Wednesday bars scooters from sidewalks and streets with a speed limit of more than 25 mph – although they are allowed in bike lanes. Scooters cannot travel more than 15 mph and cannot be ridden at night. Riders must wear helmets. The age limit is 16. The law requires dealers to put mufflers on the scooters they sell.
Granite Falls
Drivers must be at least 16 and wear a helmet, and motors must have a kill switch. Motorized scooters cannot be driven on sidewalks, city paths or parks, on roads with speed limits exceeding 25 mph, or in the dark.
Lake Stevens
City law requires riders younger than 18 to wear a helmet. Scooters ridden at night must have reflective devices.
Lynnwood
The City Council approved an ordinance Monday. Riders must be 16 or older, wear a helmet, may not ride at night, and must ride in a bicycle lane when available. They can’t ride on a street with a maximum speed faster than 25 mph. Riders must dismount at the right side of the road and walk across the street to make a left turn. They also may not operate them on sidewalks, city-owned property or other trails or paths.
Marysville
City officials have appointed a committee to study the issue.
Mill Creek
The City Council is waiting to see what other cities do and might address the issue later, city clerk Kelly Hennessey said.
Monroe
The City Council hasn’t discussed creating an ordinance, city clerk Betty King said.
Mountlake Terrace
Riders must be at least 14, cannot ride in city parks, on trails or sidewalks, and cannot ride at night without a headlight in front and reflective red tape in back.
Mukilteo
City officials plan to consider next month rules that would include a minimum age, restricting scooters to certain roads and requiring protective gear and engine mufflers, City Manager Rich Leahy said.
Snohomish
The City Council recently discussed creating an ordinance within the next month because police receive about one complaint a day regarding the noise and dangerous operations of scooters, Mayor Liz Loomis said.
Stanwood
City law says drivers must be at least 16. And scooters cannot be driven on sidewalks, city paths or parks, or roads exceeding 25 mph. They cannot be driven in the dark without reflectors, and motors must have an automatic kill switch.
Herald reporters Bill Sheets, Scott Morris, David Olson, Cathy Logg and Yoshiaka Nohara contributed to this report.
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