How about those little motorized scooters? I’m sure you’ve all seen them. Or heard them. They are the latest fad, and complaints about them are rising daily. Most of the calls and letters to my office ask, “What is the City going to do about them?” I’ve heard that some folks have nearly been run over by scooters on sidewalks. I’ve heard that they are too loud. Let’s see … riders don’t wear helmets, they go too fast, and, oh yes, “What’s the City going to do about them?”
Predominantly ridden by kids who are too young to drive, motorized scooters have become the vehicle of choice to get from point A to point B. So why, you may ask, aren’t they licensed or subject to any other rules of the road? The State of Washington, in its infinite wisdom, declined to offer any state rules on these types of vehicles. No licensing—for driver or for vehicle—no helmet requirements, and, frankly, no concern at all about these motor-driven two wheelers.
But the State did go so far as to say, “Cities may institute their own laws.” Speaking from my heart, I just can’t thank the State enough for the opportunity they have presented us with. On the one hand, we have citizens who are voicing their concern over noise and safety issues and want us to “do something.” And if we don’t, we are ignoring the pleas of our citizenry. Then, on the other hand, we have the opportunity to “harass” kids who already can’t ride their skateboards and who have nothing to do in “deadmonds.” Some choice!
And then, who gets the unenviable job of having to enforce a “scooter law”? The Police Department, of course. What a great way to build a rapport with the kids in the community! I can see the judge in court asking a twelve-year old, “You’ve been charged with riding a scooter. How do you plead?”
Maybe I’m being a little facetious, but the State shirked their duty in this case. The City Council Public Safety Committee is studying what limited choices there are available to them. Maybe the Legislature didn’t want to create a license tab fee for scooters for fear of reprisal from Tim Eyman.
Gary Haakenson is Mayor of Edmonds.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
