City scoots in law before Christmas

Blaine city council has approved an ordinance setting rules for the use of scooters in the city. “I consider this to be a tool more than an axe handle,” said Blaine police chief Mike Haslip presenting the ordinance to council at their December 13 meeting.

The ordinance places limits on all “motorized wheeled transportation devices,” which includes motorized scooters and powered skateboards. People using devices covered by the ordinance are required to obey traffic rules, and wear safety equipment. The devices need to have brakes and mufflers. They can’t be used between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. and they are prohibited on sidewalks (unless they’re being pushed), in parks and recreational areas, on any street with a speed limit over 25 miles per hour, on Peace Portal Drive, SR543, and H Street east of SR543. One person at a time is allowed on a device and they cannot tow another person on another device. Parents of children under 18 are legally required to insure the kids use the devices safely.

Violators of the new rules can be fined up to $250 for a first offence and can get 90 days in jail for a third, losing their ride in the process.
Haslip said they don’t plan heavy enforcement of the ordinance, hoping instead to use a program of public education and collaboration with the schools to get kids to use them safely.