Drafter
Clerk 10/26/2004
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to motorized foot scooters; regulating the use and operation of such vehicles; adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 46 and prescribing penalties.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings. King County makes the following findings regarding the current unregulated use of motorized foot scooters within the county's jurisdiction:
A. RCW 46.61.710 has authorized use of motorized foot scooters upon the highways of the state but allowed for local jurisdictions to limit or otherwise regulate the use of such devices;
B. Article 11, Section 11, of the Washington State Constitution outlines the county's general authority to enact local police regulations;
C. Citizens of unincorporated King County have expressed confusion as to where and in what manner motorized foot scooters may be lawfully operated;
D. Unregulated operation of motorized foot scooters upon the roadways, trails and sidewalks of unincorporated King County increases either or both:
1. The risk of accidental injury to motorized foot scooter operators and other vehicular or pedestrian traffic; and
2. Damage to property; and
E. Shared use of sidewalks by pedestrian and motorized vehicular traffic increases risk of injury to sidewalk users and could reduce the desirability of foot traffic as an alternative to motor vehicle use within the unincorporated King County area;
F. Complaints of excessive and unusual noise can be associated with the operation of gas motorized foot scooters;
G. RCW 46.61.710 does not establish minimum age or training requirements for the operation of a motorized foot scooter, which increases the risk of injury caused by either or both untrained operators and youthful operators who lack sufficient judgment to safely operate a motorized vehicle upon public roadways; and
H. RCW 46.61.710 does not make use of helmets mandatory for motorized foot scooter operators, al...

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