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Mr. Meisner voiced his support for the motion. He shared his chief concern which was how the ordinance <br />would be enforced. He noted he had witnessed motorized scooters ridden by children without helmets only <br />the previous day. <br /> <br />Police Sergeant Derel Schulz said these violations were enforced and would continue to be enforced when <br />witnessed by police officers. Mr. Meisner recommended that Sgt. Schulz make the council aware of what <br />sorts of resource needs the ordinance would create. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Mr. Meisner, Sgt. Schulz said it was in the vested interest of the retailers who <br />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, Mr. <br />Kelly felt the City owed it to users to improve the on-road conditions for them. He suggested it would be a <br />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 so <br />many variations in the designs of the scooters. He also felt there were safety issues created by any machine <br />operating in the same area as human-powered devices. He strongly recommended using the term ~motorized <br />transportation device" in order to cover any future developments in scooter technology that might be difficult <br />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 this, <br />he preferred a simple definition to one that might be harder to discern from a distance. He did, however, <br />wish to encapsulate in language exceptions for motorized devices for people with mobility issues. <br /> <br />Mr. Poling noted he had witnessed street vendors selling scooters. He recommended including language that <br />would apply to them. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman echoed the comments of her colleagues. She concurred with Mr. Kelly regarding upgrades to <br />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 felt <br />the ordinance would add to the capacity for regulations for such vehicles. He added that it was still the <br />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 advised <br />the council to provide an opportunity for students to provide input. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 15, 2004 Page 6 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />