HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 5089CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO.5089
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON,ADDING
SECTION 10-12-28 OF CHAPTER 12,TRAFFIC CODE,OF TITLE X
(TRAFFIC)OF ORDINANCE NO.4260 ENTITLED "CODE OF
GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON"
TO REGULATE THE USE OF MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS BY
ELIMINATING OR PROHIBITING THEIR USE ON SIDEWALKS,
STREETS,AND IN PARKS;PROHIBITING THEIR OPERATION BY
THOSE UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE;PROHffiITING THEIR
OPERATION FROM A HALF HOUR AFTER SUNSET UNTIL A HALF
HOUR BEFORE SUNRISE;REQUIRING OPERATORS TO WEAR
HELMETS;REQUIRING THE DEVICES TO BE MUFFLED;
REQUIRING THE SAFE OPERATION OF SUCH VEHICLES;AND
PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON,DO ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I.A new Section,10-12-28,of Chapter 12,Traffic Code,of Title X
(Traffic)of Ordinance No.4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton,
Washington"is hereby added,to read as follows:
10-12-28
A.
MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS
Defmition:A motorized foot scooter is 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.
.B.Duty to obey traffic-control signs and rules of the road:Any person operating a
motorized foot scooter or similar device shall obey all the 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.
1
ORDINANCE NO.5089
C.Unsafe Use Prohibited:No motorized foot scooter shall be ridden in a negligent
or unsafe manner but shall be operated with reasonable regard for the safety of the operator and
other persons.
D.Use Prohibited in Certain Areas:Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated in
any park,trail,or sidewalk,or on streets with a maximum speed limit above 25 miles per hour,
or any corridor marked ''No non-motorized vehicles."Exception:this section shall not apply to
the use of wheelchair conveyances when operated by a disabled person,as defmed in RCW
46.04.710,strollers used to transport small children,or City equipment.
E.Helmets and reflectors required:
1.Any person operating a motorized foot scooter,or riding as a passenger on
or in tow of a motorized foot scooter upon any public area in the City of Renton shall wear an
approved helmet designed for safety and shall have either a neck or chin strap of the helmet
fastened securely while the motorized foot scooter is in motion.No person shall transport any
person on or in tow of a motorized foot scooter upon a public area in the jurisdiction of the City
of Renton unless the passenger is wearing a helmet that meets the requirements of this chapter.
A parent or guardian is responsible for guaranteeing that a child under the age of 18 years wears
an approved helmet while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorized foot scooter in any
public area in the City ofRenton and has the neck or chin strap ofthe helmet securely fastened.
2.Pursuant to RCW 46.04(9),a motorized foot scooter must be affixed with
visible reflectors of a type approved by the Washington State Patrol whenever the vehicle is
operated at any time between one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before dawn.
F.Mufflers required:Any motorized foot scooter operated within the City of
Renton shall have affixed a muffler or modified muffling device.
2
ORDINANCE NO.5089
G.Minimum Age:A motorized foot scooter may not be operated by any individual
who is under 13 years of age.
H.Hours of operation:No motorized foot scooter shall be operated within the hours
of 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise.
I.Violation -Penalty:Any person violating the provisions of Section 10-12-28 of
the Renton Municipal Code shall be guilty of a traffic infraction and shall be punished pursuant
to Section 1-3-2 of the Renton Municipal Code,exclusive of any statutory assessments,
provided,conduct that constitutes a criminal traffic offense shall be charged as such and is
subject to the maximum penalties allowed for such offenses.
J.Severability:If one or more sections,subsections,or sentences ofthis Ordinance
is held to be unconstitutional or invalid,such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions ofthis ordinance and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION II.
30 days after publication.
This ordinance shall be effective upon its passage,approval,and
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 28th day of __J_u_n_e ,2004.
Bonnie I.Walton,City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 28th day of_------'J::.....u=n..::...:e=--,2004.
Don Persson,Mayor Pro Tempore
3
ORDINANCE NO.5089
Approved as to form:
Date of Publication:7/2/2004 (summary)
ORD.1114:5/20/04:ma
4