EDMONDS – It took some deliberation and several amendments, but the Edmonds City Council on Oct. 5 signaled its intent to regulate motorized foot scooters.
On a 4-3 vote, a draft of the ordinance will be polished by city attorney Scott Snyder and returned to the City Council for final approval.
As outlined Tuesday, the ordinance includes:
• No one under the age of 16 can operate a motorized foot scooter within the city limits;
• Anyone driving a motorized foot scooter must wear an approved helmet;
• Anyone operating a motorized foot scooter must obey all road and traffic rules;
• Motorized foot scooters are prohibited on sidewalks, in city parks and on multiple-use trails such as bike paths and hiking trails unless otherwise posted.
• Scooters may not be used in or around school property while school is in session;
• Every motorized foot scooter must have a muffler in good working order.
The ordinance also states that law enforcement officers have the right to seize motorized foot scooters used in violation of the city code. The penalty for a first offense is $30, $60 the second time and $100 each time after that.
An amendment to the ordinance that the use of scooters be limited to just after daylight and just before dusk was suggested by Council member Deanna Dawson, and passed with a 5–2 vote.
In addition, Council president Michael Plunkett moved to prohibit motorized foot-scooter riders from “cruising.” The motion passed 4–3.
Several council members suggested during the meeting that the age limit be lowered from 16- to as low as 13-years-old, but the motion failed on a 2–5 vote.
“The rationale for me is two-fold,” Plunkett said in support of the higher age limit. “At 16, it’s more enforceable … and at 16, the state has determined that you have the ability to be on the road.”
Council member Mauri Moore supported lowering the age limit.
“I think it eliminates it for those who do use them,” she said, adding that kids ages 16 and over are more interested in driving cars than riding scooters.
Previous to Council discussion, 10 people spoke during a brief public hearing and were equally split in support and rejection of the proposed ordinance
“We need to teach tolerance,” one Edmonds resident suggested.
A younger community member added, “I ride it to my grandma and grandpa’s house … and (the scooter) is no louder than a lawn mower or weedwacker.”
Others said the safety of pedestrians and young riders was their primary concern, as is the noise level of the scooters.
To view the draft scooter ordinance, go to http://www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/.
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