Scooter Regulations

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As the weather warms and more children and teens are outside on the streets and sidewalks of our municipalities, one can't help but notice a marked increase in the number of scooters being ridden. To keep up with the latest trends in outdoor play equipment, many municipalities are enacting legislation to regulate the use of scooters, both for the protection of the public in general and for the protection of children, teens and adults riding the scooters. In some cases, legislation simply regulates scooters on the same level as bicycles, in-line skates and skateboards. In other situations, scooters merit separate treatment, regulating where they can be ridden and requiring helmets to be worn while riding. For examples, read on...

Atlantic City, C. NJ: § 92-11 Jefferson, Twp. NJ: Ch. 20 Great Neck Plaza, V. NY: Ch. 84 Rutherford, B. NJ: Ch. 98 Pleasantville, C. NJ: Ch. 95, Art. II Owego, V. NY: Ch. 87, Art. II Order On-Line!

§ 92-11. Use of roller skates, skateboards and similar vehicles; scooter helmets. [Added 6-25-1964 by Ord. No. 9-1964; amended 7-19-1979 by Ord. No. 39-1979; 6-5-1991 by Ord. No. 33-1991]

1. The use of roller skates, skateboards and any vehicle, except baby carriages, invalid chairs and licensed chairs, is prohibited on both the Boardwalk and the beach.
2. Scooter helmet required. [Added 10-25-2000 by Ord. No. 69-2000]

(1) Any person riding a scooter upon any public area in the City of Atlantic City shall wear an approved helmet designed for safety that meets or exceeds the standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Standard Z-90.4, or the Snell Foundation, or such subsequent nationally recognized standard for helmet performance as the City of Atlantic City may adopt and shall have either the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely while the scooter is in motion.

(2) Scooters shall only be permitted on the Boardwalk of Atlantic City between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. daily throughout the year.

(3) No person shall transport another person on or in tow of a scooter upon any public area in the jurisdiction of the City of Atlantic City unless the passenger is wearing a helmet that meets the aforementioned standards.

(4) A parent or guardian is responsible for requiring that a child under the age of 14 years wears an approved helmet while on a scooter in any public area in the City of Atlantic City and has the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely.

(5) Any person, including a parent or guardian, violating any of the provisions of this subsection shall have committed a civil violation and shall be liable for a monetary penalty not to exceed $10.

[HISTORY: Adopted by Township Council of Township of Jefferson as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 20-1. Definitions.

BICYCLE -- A vehicle with two wheels propelled solely by human power and having pedals, handlebars and a saddle-like seat. The term shall include a bicycle for two or more persons, having seats and corresponding sets of pedals arranged in tandem.

HELMET -- Protective head gear which meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z90.4, Bicycle Helmet Standard), Snel Memorial Foundation's 1990 Standard For Protective Head Gear For Use In Bicycling, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard or other such standard, as appropriate.

IN-LINE SKATES -- A pair of devices worn on the feet with at least two or more wheels attached, which wheels are in tandem and which devices are used to glide and propel the user over the ground.

SCOOTER -- A device propelled by muscular power, which consists of a footboard between end wheels and is controlled by an upright steering handle attached to a front wheel.

§ 20-2. Operation.

§ 20-3. Penalties for offenses.

§ 20-4. Waiver of fines.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Great Neck Plaza 10-4-2000 by L.L. No. 8-2000. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 84-1. Definitions.

SCOOTER -- A skateboard which also includes a vertical bar and handlebar used for steering purposes.

SKATEBOARD -- A board mounted on rollerskate wheels.

§ 84-2. Required safety equipment.

§ 84-3. Safety regulations.

1. No person may operate a scooter or skateboard on a public street, highway, sidewalk, steps, parking lot or garage within the Village in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the safety or property of either the operator or another person.
2. Operators of a scooter or skateboard shall be subject to traffic safety rules, regulations and laws.
3. No operator of a scooter or skateboard shall, while operating the scooter or skateboard, wear earphones or head gear so as to prevent or obstruct the hearing of external noises.
4. Operators of a scooter or skateboard shall wear reflective strips or "day glo" safety reflectors from dusk to dawn so as to make themselves visible to vehicular traffic.

§ 84-4. Penalties for offenses.

1. Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall pay a civil fine not to exceed $50. A police officer or other enforcement officer shall only issue a summons for a violation of this chapter by a person less than 16 years of age to the parent or guardian of such person if the violation by such person occurs in the presence of such person's parent or guardian and where such parent or guardian is 18 years of age or more. Such summons shall only be issued to such parent or guardian, and shall not be issued to the person less than 16 years of age.
2. The court may waive any civil fine for which a person who violates the provisions of § 84-2 would be liable if such person supplies the court with proof that between the date of violation and the appearance date for such violation such person purchased or rented a helmet.
3. The court may waive any civil fine for which a person who violates the provisions of this § 84-2 would be liable if the court finds that due to reasons of economic hardships such person was unable to purchase a helmet.
4. The failure of any person to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall not constitute contributory negligence or assumption of risk, and shall not in any way bar, preclude or foreclose an action for personal injury or wrongful death by or on behalf of such person, nor in any way diminish or reduce the damages recoverable in any such action.

§ 84-5. Enforcement.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough of Rutherford Council 6-7-1989 by Ord. No. 2538-89. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 98-1. Definitions.

BICYCLE -- Includes vehicles with two wheels, 20 inches or more in diameter, one in front of the other, having a saddle-like seat for the rider, steered by a handle bar and driven by pedals.

BOROUGH -- The Borough of Rutherford.

PERSON -- An individual, association of individuals or corporation.

ROLLER SKATES -- Includes a skate with small wheels instead of a runner for skating on a surface other than ice.

SCOOTER -- Includes a vehicle that consists typically of a narrow footboard mounted between two wheels tandem with an upright handle attached to the front wheel that is operated by placing one foot on the footboard and pushing with the other foot.

SKATEBOARD -- Includes a vehicle that consists typically of a narrow footboard mounted between four small wheels that is operated by placing one foot on the footboard and pushing with the other foot.

§ 98-2. Operation prohibited in certain areas.

§ 98-3. Rules and regulations.

1. Persons riding or operating bicycles, roller skates, scooters or skateboards shall comply with the traffic laws of the State of New Jersey, the Traffic Ordinance of the borough and such other rules and regulations as may be adopted from time to time by the governing body of the Borough of Rutherford.
2. Persons riding bicycles, roller skates, scooters or skateboards upon a roadway shall ride in single file; provided, however, that this regulation shall not apply on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, roller skates, scooters or skateboards.
3. Every person riding or operating a bicycle, roller skates, scooter or skateboard shall obey all stop signs and traffic signals in the same manner and to the same extent as would be required if said person was operating a motor vehicle.
4. No person riding upon a bicycle, roller skates, scooter or skateboard shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle.

§ 98-4. Violations and penalties.

§ 98-5. Additional violations and penalties.

§ 98-6. Enforcement.

§ 98-7. Severability.

§ 95-50. Definitions.

BICYCLE -- Any two-or-more-wheeled vehicle having a tandem or triangular arrangement of the wheels and having cranks, levers or pedals for its propulsion by the feet.

BIKE LANE -- Utilizes existing roadways and is contiguous thereto but provides a separate lane of travel for the exclusive or semi-exclusive use of bicycles. The bike lane is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by painted lines, pavement coloration, curbing, parked vehicles or other barriers.

BIKE PATH -- A separate pathway for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians separated from motor vehicle traffic except at bike crossings.

BIKE ROUTE -- Utilizes existing streets and roads. No separation of motor vehicle and bicycle traffic is provided as only signs are present to indicate the course of the bike route.

MOTORIZED VEHICLE -- Car, van, SUV, truck, motorcycle, moped, motorized bicycle and anything powered by an internal combustion engine or other motorized power source, but excluding motorized wheelchairs.

OTHER MANUALLY POWERED DEVICES -- Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, scooter, go-cart or other device powered by pedals or other system requiring the user to exert force in order to be propelled, but excluding devices used for the assistance of the physically handicapped.

§ 95-51. Establishment of bike path.

1. The City Administrator shall cause to be placed appropriate signs or other markings indicating the bike path designated below:
Beginning at the intersection of Chestnut Street and the abandoned railroad right-of-way acquired by the city from J.P. Rail and extending along the abandoned railroad right-of-way south to the border of Northfield.
2. An engineer drawing and general geographic map is kept on file in the City Clerk's office.

§ 95-52. Shared facilities.

1. While roadways are provided for the safety and convenience of vehicles, sidewalks are provided for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and bike paths are provided for the safety and convenience of bicycles and other manually powered devices, it is recognized that in many such instances such facilities may be shared.
2. On shared facilities, the following regulations shall apply:

(1) When using bike paths, pedestrians shall walk as far to the right as practicable; shall walk no more than two abreast; and shall exercise due care. Anyone using a bicycle or other manually powered device shall give audible signal before passing a pedestrian on a bike path or route.

(2) When using sidewalks, bicyclists and anyone using other manually powered devices shall not exceed seven miles per hour, shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and shall pass only on the left and only after giving audible warning to pedestrians.

§ 95-53. Riding on sidewalks.

1. Where signs are erected giving notice thereof, no person shall ride a bicycle or other manually powered device upon a sidewalk. Signs prohibiting such activity shall be installed at locations as directed by the appropriate city official.
2. Unless otherwise posted pursuant to Subsection A, a person may ride a bicycle, or other manually powered device, upon any public sidewalk. This section does not permit any type of motorized vehicle to be ridden on the sidewalk where otherwise unlawful. When doing so, such person shall be subject to the following additional provisions: Such person shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and exempt vehicles.
3. Penalty. Violation of any provision of this section by any person shall be a civil traffic offense punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100 for each offense.

§ 95-54. Driving vehicles across bike paths and lanes.

1. No person shall drive a motorized vehicle upon or across a bike path and sidewalk or lane except at public street intersections or to enter a driveway.
2. No person shall drive upon or across a bike path or bike lane as permitted by this section except after giving the right-of-way to all bicycles within the lane.
3. This section shall not apply to police and emergency vehicles and vehicles necessary to the maintenance and repair of the bike path and its appurtenances.

§ 95-55. Safety regulations.

1. This section shall only apply to users of the bike path and sidewalks as defined in this article. Bicyclists and users of other manually powered devices utilizing streets and other public roadways are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the State of New Jersey and generally found in N.J.S.A. 39:4-10 et seq.
2. Helmets are required for riders 14 years of age and younger pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-10.1.
3. No person operating a bicycle shall allow anyone four years old or younger, and weighing 40 pounds or less, to ride as a passenger on the bicycle, other than in a seat which shall adequately retain the passenger in place and protect the passenger from the bicycle's moving parts; or else astride a regular seat of a tandem bicycle.
4. No person operating a bicycle or other manually powered device shall allow anyone to ride as a passenger unless the passenger is wearing a helmet as defined in Subsection A above or else is in an enclosed trailer or other device which meets or exceeds current nationally recognized standards of design and manufacture for the protection of the passenger's head from impact in an accident without the need for a helmet.

§ 95-56. Rules and regulations pertaining to operation; required equipment.

1. This section shall only apply to users of the bike path and sidewalks as defined in this article. Bicyclists and users of other manually powered devices utilizing streets and other public roadways are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the State of New Jersey and generally found in N.J.S.A. 39:4-10 et seq.
2. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a lamp on the rear which shall emit a red light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear.
3. No bicycle or other manually powered device shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed.
4. No person riding upon any bicycle or other manually powered device shall attach the same or himself/herself to any vehicle, and no operator of any vehicle shall knowingly allow any person riding upon any bicycle to attach the same or himself/herself to the vehicle.
5. Every bicycle or other manually powered device shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
6. Every person riding or operating a bicycle or other manually powered device shall obey all traffic signals, signs and devices in the same manner and to the same extent as would be required if said person was operating a motor vehicle.
7. Every person riding or operating a bicycle or other manually powered device shall be required immediately, before crossing a street or public roadway, where any bike path or sidewalk intersects, to come to a complete stop for the purpose of making an observation in order to ensure that said street or sidewalk is clear of pedestrians or vehicles.
8. On any bike path or sidewalk, bicyclists shall not ride any more than two abreast.
9. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in the Central Business District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
10. Parking.

(1) All bicycles, when parked on sidewalks, shall be parked only in such a manner as not to obstruct pedestrian traffic or access to adjacent buildings.

(2) No bicycle shall be parked in any street. No bicycle shall be parked in such a manner as to obstruct the pedestrian walkway or in a manner that interferes with the entrance and/or exit of a business.

11. Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle at speeds faster than are reasonable or proper, which in no case shall be in excess of legal speed limits, unless participating in an officially sponsored or sanctioned rally or road race.
12. Reckless or careless riding. No person shall ride a bicycle in a reckless or careless manner which endangers or is likely to endanger the safety or welfare of other persons or property.
13. Exemption. This section shall not apply to bicycles operated by police officers on duty and using a bicycle as part of their official police work.

§ 95-57. Enforcement; violations and penalties.

1. Adult operators. Any person 16 years of age or older found in violation of any provision of this article, where no penalty is specified, shall be subject to a fine in the amount prescribed in Subsection C after issuance of a summons for said violation.
2. Operators under the age 16.

(1) Any person under the age of 16, found in violation of any provision of this article, is subject to the following penalties:

(a) First offense: written notification sent to parent advising of the violation and warning that subsequent violations, of any provisions, may result in impoundment of the bicycle.

(b) Second offense: impoundment of bicycle by the Police Department until such time as the person brings their parent or guardian to the police station to pick up the bicycle. The parent or guardian will be provided with a notice acknowledging that any additional infraction will result in the assessment of the scheduled fine.

(c) Third and subsequent offenses: impoundment of bicycle by Police Department until pick-up by parent or legal guardian and payment by parent or legal guardian of scheduled fine.

(2) For purposes of this section, the number of offenses can be the repeated violation of one specific provision or any combination of provisions.

3. An adult offender, 18 years or above, issued a summons in accordance with Subsection A may waive the right of a court hearing by completing the appearance, plea and waiver on the reverse side of the summons and delivering or mailing same, together with payment of the fine, to the Municipal Court Violations Clerk. This waiver may be exercised for first offenses only.
4. Violation Bureau schedule of fines:

Violation	Fine
Operating without proper lights after dark	$35
Failure to obey traffic sign or signal	$25
Exceeding legal speed limits	$25
Improper parking	$10
Riding against the flow of traffic	$35
Failure to ride in designated area where prescribed	$50
Operating with inoperative braking devices	$50
Hitching on to moving vehicles	$100
Reckless or careless riding	$50
Unauthorized driving of vehicle on bike path	$100
Creating obstruction or hazardous condition upon bike path	$45

5. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized and empowered to administer the provisions of this article.

§ 95-58. Parental responsibility.

§ 87-12. Traffic laws applicable to persons riding bicycles.

§ 87-13. Prohibited acts; exception.

1. Streets enumerated. No person shall ride a bicycle, roller skates, skateboards, roller blades or scooters on any of the following designated streets in the village:

(1) Church Street from Main Street to Front Street, on the west side.

(2) Front Street from Church Street to Court Street.

(3) Lake Street.

(4) Main Street from Church Street to Central Avenue.

(5) North Avenue from Main Street to Temple Street.

2. Exception. This section shall not apply to newsboys or delivery persons on regular routes.
3. "Skateboard" and "scooter" defined. For purposes of this section, the terms "skateboard" and "scooter" shall be defined as any mechanical device consisting of an arrangement or combination of two or more wheels, supported by a frame or platform on or in which a person is capable of riding, propelled by feet or arms acting upon or against the ground. Wheelchairs, grocery carts and baby carriages or strollers are specifically excepted from the aforesaid definition.

§ 87-14. General equipment and operation regulations.

1. State law applicable. Every bicycle operated or driven upon any public street in the village shall be equipped and operated in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
2. Brakes; steering mechanism; sound device. Every bicycle shall be provided with adequate brakes and steering mechanism and a suitable or adequate horn, bell or other sound device to serve as a danger warning signal, but which shall not be used other than as such warning.
3. Reflectors; lamps. Every bicycle shall be provided with an approved front reflector and rear reflector to be applied and adjusted to the bicycle in such manner as to be visible for at least 200 feet when opposed by a motor vehicle displaying lawful undimmed headlights at night; and provided, further, that every bicycle registered or so operated or driven during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise shall display a lighted lamp on the front which shall be visible from a point 500 feet ahead of such bicycle and which shall project either a white or yellow light.
4. Riding on bicycles generally.

(1) Manner. A person operating a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride the permanent or regular seat attached thereto.

(2) Passengers. A person operating a bicycle shall not carry another person upon such bicycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat thereon, nor shall any person ride upon a bicycle other than as herein authorized. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

5. Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions existing at the time and place.
6. Riding on right. Every person operating a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
7. Emerging from alley, driveway, building. The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk or sidewalk area and, upon entering the roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said roadway.
8. Clinging to vehicles. No person riding a bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
9. Riding in a group prohibited. Persons operating a bicycle upon a street or roadway shall ride single file.
10. Carrying articles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or articles which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand on the handlebar.
11. Duty to yield right-of-way to pedestrian. Wherever any person is riding a bicycle on any sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and shall give an audible signal before overtaking or passing such pedestrians.

§ 87-15. Parking.

§ 87-16. Penalties for offenses.