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In response to a question from Mr. Meisner, Sgt. Schulz said it was in the vested interest of the retailers <br />who sold scooters to provide complete information to people who were going to purchase such scooters. <br /> <br />Within the noise constraints that had been discussed and the wish for such vehicles to remain on roads, <br />Mr. Kelly felt the City owed it to users to improve the on-road conditions for them. He suggested it would <br />be a good time to assess what critical roads lacked bicycle lanes. He also suggested there be a distinction <br />between electric and gasoline powered scooters, as the electric scooters were substantially quieter. <br /> <br />Sgt. Schulz commented that one unique element of Eugene was the miles of multi-use paths. He felt there <br />was a clear desire by users of the paths to keep them for human-powered vehicles only. He added that <br />making a distinction between gasoline and electric would make enforcement more difficult as there were <br />so many variations in the designs of the scooters. He also felt there were safety issues created by any <br />machine operating in the same area as human-powered devices. He strongly recommended using the term <br />"motorized transportation device" in order to cover any future developments in scooter technology that <br />might be difficult to categorize. <br /> <br />Mr. Poling remarked that one could not legislate against stupidity, which he felt to be the largest problem. <br />Regarding the distinction in sizes, he remembered from his experience in law enforcement that brake <br />displacement had been the defining qualification for a motorcycle to travel on the freeway. Because of <br />this, he preferred a simple definition to one that might be harder to discern from a distance. He did, <br />however, wish to encapsulate in language exceptions for motorized devices for people with mobility <br />issues. <br /> <br />Mr. Poling noted he had witnessed street vendors selling scooters. He recommended including language <br />that would apply to them. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman echoed the comments of her colleagues. She concurred with Mr. Kelly regarding upgrades <br />to transportation facilities to meet the needs of the new laws. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor supported the motion. She thought the ordinance should go further and disallow gas-powered <br />vehicles from bicycle lanes. She felt they posed a hazard to bicyclists. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor remarked that he had never seen more lively community discourse on a topic. He <br />felt the ordinance would add to the capacity for regulations for such vehicles. He added that it was still <br />the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children ride such vehicles safely. <br /> <br />Sgt. Schulz recognized that, though the public had been provided an opportunity to speak on this issue, it <br />had been during the summer break for the University of Oregon and Lane Community College. He <br />advised the council to provide an opportunity for students to provide input. <br /> <br />Ms. Solomon also supported the motion. She did not agree that there should be delineation between <br />electric powered and gasoline powered scooters. <br /> <br /> Ms. Solomon asked how noise levels would be enforced. Sgt. Schulz replied that language had been <br /> included to empower someone with reasonable sensibilities to be able to make a complaint about noise. <br /> City Attorney Kathryn Brotherton said it would be regulated in the same manner as other noise distur- <br /> Dances. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 15, 2004 Page 6 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />