LYNNWOOD – Kids ride the scooters, they ride them fast and they ride them at night.
“These kids are allowed to run wild,” said Lynnwood resident Emilio Aguayo, who lives near Spruce Way in northeast Lynnwood. “It’s another case of when a new toy comes on the market.”
Motor scooters aren’t regulated by the state, so many cities are passing laws to deal with safety concerns. The Lynnwood City Council approved a law 7-0 on Monday that places extensive restrictions on the use of scooters.
In a separate action, the council also approved an ordinance requiring all bicycle riders to wear helmets.
The scooter ordinance, among other things, prohibits use of scooters by anyone under 16, prohibits their use at night and on arterials, requires they be fitted with mufflers and requires riders to wear helmets.
The city has received numerous complaints about scooters in recent months. Most have revolved around noise. Others expressed concern for the safety of small children and because many riders do not wear helmets, city crime prevention officer Trudy Dana said Tuesday.
Dana said she alone has received 60 calls about scooters in the past few months.
“I’m sure our front desk has them all day, and 911, too,” she said.
The law was developed by a group of City Council members. Residents provided comments, said council President Lisa Utter, but unfortunately not too many scooter riders were involved.
“The utilizers of the scooters were underrepresented,” Utter admitted.
The penalties for violations are steep: $250 for a first offense by anyone less than 16, $100 for a first offense by anyone 16 or older, and $250 for each violation after that. Additionally, the court may take away the scooter at its discretion.
The law also allows a first offender to avoid penalties by taking a safety class and not incurring more violations for a year.
Aguayo said riding a scooter can be dangerous. Riders sometimes crouch down so they can’t easily be seen, and seldom wear helmets or other protection.
The scooter ordinance directs the mayor’s office to put together an education program and calls for police to work with scooter vendors to develop pamphlets that can be used in schools.
“Officers are going to do their best to educate people about responsible riding,” city administrator Steve Nolen said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
Motorized scooter law for Lynnwood
Every person operating a motorized scooter shall:
* Be at least age 16
* Abide by the same rules of the road as bicycles
* Ride only on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph or less and no arterials
* Not ride on sidewalks, in city parks, on city property or any trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited
* Wear a bicycle helmet
* Not ride during hours of darkness (between half-hour after sunset and half-hour before sunrise)
* Not ride with a passenger
* Ensure the scooter has a muffler.
* Stop, dismount and walk to cross road or make a left turn
Motorized scooter law for Lynnwood
Every person operating a motorized scooter shall:
* Be at least age 16.
* Abide by the same rules of the road as bicycles.
* Ride only on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph or less and no arterials.
* Not ride on sidewalks, in city parks, on city property or any trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited.
* Wear a bicycle helmet.
* Not ride during hours of darkness (between half-hour after sunset and half-hour before sunrise).
* Not ride with a passenger.
* Ensure the scooter has a muffler.
* Stop, dismount and walk to cross a road or make a left turn.
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