Item 6 - Ord/Motor Scooters - Laserfiche WebLink

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scooter, a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, a motorized skateboard, and any similar vehicle that operates without human propulsion. A motorized transportation device is exempt from this provision if it is used as a mobility aid by a person with a mobility impairment, used by a person with express permission from the City, or used by a City employee or agent in the course of City business. The prohibition of all "motorized transportation devices" on all City-owned off-street paths and trails, instead of limiting the prohibition to only motor-assisted scooters, was chosen to facilitate consistent enforcement of motorized vehicle use on City-owned off-street paths and trails and to reduce the likelihood that the council will need to revise the code as motorized scooter technology changes. The proposed ordinance requires merchants who sell motor-assisted scooters to post, in a prominent place at each location where motor-assisted scooters are on display, a notice setting forth a list of restrictions on motor-assisted scooter use and requires merchants to provide a copy of such notice to each purchaser of a motor-assisted scooter, either before or in connection with the purchase. To date, in Eugene, most merchants have willingly displayed these flyers. The flyer (Attachment B), which was developed by the City's Public Works Department, lists all existing Oregon Revised Statutes and the Park Rules regulations that currently define the legal use of motor-assisted scooters. Following the September 15 City Council work session, the City of Eugene was contacted by Associated Oregon Industries (AOI) and the Oregon Retail Council regarding the proposed requirement for merchants to inform consumers of the regulation of motor-assisted scooters. Initial concern by the AOI that this provision may be unfair was considerably reduced when the process was more fully described. To date, contacts with the UO Office of Student Life, Judiciary Review and the Department of Public Safety, (UO-DPS) and an interview solicited with the Oregon Emerald have not resulted in any additional comments from UO students regarding the proposed ordinance. The Human Rights Commission's Committee on Accessibility received a presentation on the proposed ordinance and will provide a list of interested parties for involvement in the development of an administrative rule to implement the proposed ordinance. There are no specific timing issues associated with this item. However, as the weather becomes warmer, use of the motorized transportation devices will increase. Some financial impact would occur if the City Council implements new regulation of motor-assisted scooters. Municipal Court has been involved in the development of the proposed ordinance and penalties for violation are established in 4.990 of the proposed ordinance. Concern was expressed by some councilors at the February 14, 2005, public hearing regarding the need for additional bike lanes to increase options for users of motorized transportation devices. Currently, the need for future bicycle lanes is addressed in Transplan. Further discussion and transportation planning regarding the need for additional bicycle lanes on key streets will most likely need to occur, if ridership of motorized transportation devices continues to increase. The City's Traffic Engineer has provided a memorandum, Attachment C, which discusses logistical problems for motorized transportation devices attempting to legally cross the Willamette River. RELATED CITY POLICIES The City of Eugene Park and Open Space Rules address noise and noisy equipment as well as the operation of bicycles and motor vehicles in parks. The Park and Open Space Rules provide examples of segregating types of use of public paths such as prohibiting bicycles from pedestrian-only paths and of L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050228\S0502286.doc