HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 2065 - Use of Motorized Scooters Pocket Bikes and EPAMDsCity of Tukwila
Washington
Ordinance No. 2 t 5
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING NEW REGULATIONS REGARDING
THE USE OF MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS, POCKET BIKES AND
EPAMDs; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, RCW 46.61.710 has authorized the use of motorized foot scooters and
EPAMDs, yet has allowed local jurisdictions to regulate their use within each city; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila is concerned about traffic and pedestrian safety,
as well as the safety of all its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Tukwila chooses to regulate the use of motorized foot scooters, pocket
bikes and EPAMDs in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Regulations established. Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 9.34 is
hereby established to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9.34
OPERATION OF MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS,
POCKET BIKES AND EPAMDs
9.34.010 Definitions
Sections:
9.34.010 Definitions
9.34.020 Pocket Bikes
9.34.030 Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device (EPAMD)
9.34.040 Motorized Foot Scooters
9.34.050 Responsibility
9.34.060 Violation and Penalties
For the purposes of TMC Chapter 9.34, the following definitions shall apply:
1. EPAMD" is an electric, personal assistive mobility device, which is a self
balancing device with two wheels not in tandem, designed to transport only one person
by an electric propulsion system with an average power of 750 watts (one horsepower),
having a maximum speed on a paved surface of less than 20 mph (miles per hour),
when powered solely by such a propulsion system.
2. "Motorized foot scooter" means a device with no more than two 10- inch -or-
smaller diameter wheels, that has handlebars, is designed to be stood or sat upon by
the operator, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is
capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. A motor driven
cycle, a moped, an electric- assisted bicycle or a motorcycle is not a motorized foot
scooter.
3. "Pocket bike" (also known as miniature motorcycle, miniature chopper or sports
racer) is a low- profile motorized vehicle 30" or less in height, weighing under 125
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pounds, with 10" or smaller whe els, either electric- powered or having an engine
displacement of 49cc's or fewer.
9.34.020 Pocket Bikes
A. Pocket bikes are prohibited from operation on any street, road or byway
publicly maintained and open to the public for vehicular travel in the City of Tukwila.
B. Pocket bikes may not be legally operated on sidewalks, bike lanes, trails or
anyplace prohibiting the use of motorized vehicles.
C. This section applies to pocket bikes and any similar motor vehicle with a low
profile but of a slightly different size.
9.34.030 Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device (EPAMD)
A. EPAMDs may be operated on roads and road shoulders where the speed limits
are 25 mph or less, and on bicycle lanes, sidewalks and alleys. They are prohibited in
City parks, and on multiple -use trails within the City.
B. A person operating an electric, personal- assistive mobility device (EPAMD)
shall obey all speed limits and shall yield the right -of -way to pedestrians and human
powered devices at all times. An operator must also give an audible signal before
overtaking and passing a pedestrian. Persons operating an EPAMD have all the rights
and duties of a pedestrian, though they must follow rules of the road when traveling on
the roadway.
C. It is unlawful to operate an EPAMD in a negligent or unsafe manner. They
shall be operated with reasonable regard for the safety of the operator and other
persons. Examples of operating in a negligent manner include, but are not limited to,
failure to obey all traffic control devices, or failure to yield right -of -way to pedestrians
and /or vehicular traffic.
D. EPAMDs on roadways should ride as close as practicable to the right side of
the road.
E. EPAMD operators should dismount their device on the right side of the road
and cross the road at an intersection as a pedestrian would if making a left hand turn.
F. No EPAMD shall be operated between the times of sunset and sunrise, unless
operated as a mobility assistant for a disabled occupant, in which case lights and
reflectors must be properly installed per RCW 46.04.
G. No EPAMD shall be operated with any passengers in addition to the operator.
H. All operators of EPAMDs shall follow State law as found in RCW 46.61.710,
detailing that they have the rights and duties of a pedestrian unless otherwise
regulated in this section.
9.34.040 Motorized Foot Scooters
A. General Requirements
1. Except as otherwise prohibited in TMC Chapter 9.34, motor scooters may
be operated on roads and road shoulders where the speed limits are 25 mph or less.
2. Every internal combustion engine- driven foot scooter shall at all times be
equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent
excessive or unusual noise.
3. The use of a cutout, bypass, or similar muffler elimination device is
prohibited on any motorized foot scooter.
4. Motorized foot scooters shall be equipped with a kill (deadman's) switch,
in such a manner that the drive motor is engaged through a switch, lever, or other
mechanism that, when released, will cause the drive motor to disengage or cease to
function.
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5. It is unlawful to operate on a public roadway or on public property with a
motorized foot scooter that has had factory installed brakes removed or altered to the
extent that the braking device is ineffective. Brakes on motorized foot scooters must
enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level and clean pavement.
6. Handlebars on a motorized foot scooter must not exceed the shoulders of
the operator.
the City.
7. Noise Restrictions:
a. Motorized foot scooters must comply with the provisions in TMC
Chapter 8.22.110, "Public Disturbance Noises."
b. No motorized foot scooter shall emit frequent, repetitive or continuous
sounding of any horn or siren, except as a warning of danger or as specifically
permitted or required by law.
c. No motorized foot scooter shall be operated in such a manner that
results in screeching or other sounds from scooter tires coming in contact with the
ground or pavement because of rapid acceleration, braking or excessive speed around
corners or because of such other reason not connected with avoiding danger.
B. Requirements for Operation
1. It is unlawful to operate a motorized foot scooter in a negligent or unsafe
manner. They shall be operated with reasonable regard for the safety of the operator
and other persons. Examples of operating in a negligent manner include, but are not
limited to, failure to obey all traffic control devices, or failure to yield right -of -way to
pedestrians and or vehicular traffic.
2. No motorized foot scooter shall be operated without the operator wearing
a properly fitted and fastened helmet, that meets or exceeds safety standards adopted
by Standard Z -90.4 set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
3. No person operating a motorized foot scooter shall tow or pull another
person behind such device. In the event that a person is pulled or towed behind a
motorized foot scooter, the person operating the scooter and the person being towed or
pulled are both in violation of TMC Chapter 9.34.
4. No person may operate a motorized foot scooter on a public byway unless
such person is 16 years or older.
5. Any person operating a motorized foot scooter shall obey all rules of the
road applicable to vehicle or pedestrian traffic, as well as the instructions of official
traffic control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless
otherwise directed by a police officer.
6. It shall be unlawful to operate a motorized foot scooter other than as close
as practicable to the right -hand curb or right edge of the roadway.
7. When preparing for a left turn, the motorized foot scooter operator shall
stop and dismount as close as practicable to the right -hand curb or right edge of the
roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on foot, subject to the
restrictions placed on pedestrians in RCW Chapter 46.61.
8. No motorized foot scooter shall be operated with any passengers in
addition to the operator.
9. No motorized foot scooter shall be operated between the times of sunset
and sunrise.
10. Prohibited Areas. It is unlawful for any person to operate or ride upon a
motorized foot scooter or similar device in any of the following areas:
a. Parks, including their sidewalks, parking lots, streets, paths, trails and
similar travel ways.
b. Multi -use trails, including all City and regional recreational trails in
c. Sidewalks within the City limits.
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d. Parking lots of any municipal facility.
e. Roads with speeds over 25 mph.
C. Application to Other Devices
The provisions of TMC Chapter 9.34 regarding motorized foot scooters apply
to any device that:
1. Matches the definition of a motorized foot scooter, except for the number
or size of the device's wheels; and
2. Cannot be defined as:
a) A vehicle legally registered by the Washington Department of Vehicle
Licensing as a motorcycle or moped.
b) An electric- assisted bicycle.
9.34.050 Responsibility
No person shall perform any act forbidden by TMC Chapter 9.34 nor fail to
perform any act required in TMC Chapter 9.34. It is unlawful for any parent, guardian
or other person having control or custody of a minor child to allow said minor to
operate a motorized foot scooter, pocket bike, or EPAMD in violation of TMC Chapter
9.34.
9.34.060 Violations and Penalties
A. The City of Tukwila Police Department personnel shall be responsible for
enforcing the provisions of TMC Chapter 9.34.
B. Upon determining a violation of TMC Chapter 9.34 has occurred, law
enforcement officers may, at their discretion, issue a civil infraction in the amounts
specified in TMC 9.34.060.0 to any person including a parent or guardian violating
any of the provisions of TMC Chapter 9.34.
C. The following monetary penalties shall apply:
1. First offense $40.
2. Second offense $80.
3. Third and future offenses $250 each.
Section 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or
phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the
remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published
in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force five days
after passage and publication as provided by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, QF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
Regular Meeting this day of 0/4 J 2004.
i/Th NM
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
at a g g
ATTEST/ AUTHENTICATED:
l ♦tt L.
E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS
Offi�he 0ttor�tey
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BY:
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
1 1 •D4
1 OI-1'
22. 04
10.27 64-
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SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE
No. 2065
City of Tukwila, Washington
On October 18, 2004, the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Washington, adopted
Ordinance No.2065 the main points of which are summarized by its title as follows:
An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Washington,
establishing new regulations regarding the use of motorized foot scooters, pocket
bikes and EPAMDs; providing for severability; and establishing an effective date.
The full text of this ordinance will be mailed upon request.
Approved by the City Council at their Regular Meeting of October 18, 2004.
ne E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
Published Seattle Times: October 22, 2004