St. Louis City Ordinance 65138

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FLOOR SUBSTITUTE
BOARD BILL NO. 186 [00]

An ordinance pertaining to motorized scooters, establishing rules and regulations for the safe operation of motorized scooters upon the streets and alleys within the City of St. Louis, containing definitions, a penalty clause and an emergency clause.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION ONE. Definitions.

For purposes of this ordinance a "motorized scooter" shall mean any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, is designed to be stood upon by the operator, and is powered by a motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour.

SECTION TWO. Every person operating a motorized scooter shall have all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of any other vehicle as established by ordinance, including, but not limited to, ordinances concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, except those provisions which, by their very nature, can have no application.

SECTION THREE. Every motorized scooter operated upon any street or alley during darkness shall be equipped with the following:

(1) A lamp emitting a white light which, while the motorized scooter is in motion, illuminates the street or alley in front of the operator and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the motorized scooter;

(2) A red reflector on the rear that is visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle;

(3) A white or yellow reflector on each side visible from the front and rear of the motorized scooter from a distance of 200 feet;

SECTION FOUR. A person operating a motorized scooter is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to registration, and license plate requirements, and, for those purposes, a motorized scooter is not a motor vehicle. .

SECTION FIVE. (a) A motorized scooter shall comply with one of the following:

(1) Operate in a manner so that the motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied.

2) Operate in a manner so that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released, will cause the motor to disengage or cease to function.

(b) It is unlawful for a person to operate a motorized scooter that does not meet one of the requirements of subdivision (a).

SECTION SIX. (a) Any person operating a motorized scooter upon a street or alley shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the street or alley, except under the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

(2) When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the street and complete the turn by crossing the street on foot.

(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes, which make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or right edge of the street .

SECTION SEVEN. The operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:

(a) Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(b) Operate a motorized scooter on a highway as defined under Section 226.010(7) of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri.

(c) Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened helmet or other headgear that meets the standards of the Missouri Director of Revenue as provided for in Section 302.020.2 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri.

(d) Operate a motorized scooter when the operator is under the age of 16 years.

(e) Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.

(f) Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

(g) Operate a motorized scooter with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

(h) Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.

(i) Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the street or alley, by any means, to any other vehicle on the street or alley.

(j) Operate a motorized scooter at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.

SECTION EIGHT. Any person found guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500) or a term of imprisonment of not more than Ninety (90) days or by both a fine and imprisonment.

SECTION NINE. Emergency clause.

This being an ordinance for the preservation of public peace, health, and safety, it is hereby declared to be an emergency measure within the meaning of Sections 19 and 20 of Article IV of the Charter of the City of St. Louis and therefore shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval by the mayor.

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