SF 808

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to traffic regulations; defining motorized
foot scooters and regulating their use and operation;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.01, by
adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.01, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4c. new text end

new text begin Motorized foot scooter. new text end

new text begin "Motorized foot
scooter" means a device with no more than two ten-inch or
smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be
stood or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by an internal
combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of
propelling the device with or without human propulsion. An
electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorized
bicycle, an electric-assisted bicycle, or a motorcycle is not a
motorized foot scooter.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [169.225] MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application of traffic laws. new text end

new text begin Every person
operating a motorized foot scooter shall have all rights and
duties applicable to the operator of a bicycle, except in
respect to those provisions relating expressly to motorized foot
scooters and in respect to those provisions of law that by their
nature cannot reasonably be applied to motorized foot scooters.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Sidewalk and passenger prohibition. new text end

new text begin No person
may operate a motorized foot scooter upon a sidewalk, except
when necessary to enter or leave adjacent property. No person
may operate a motorized foot scooter that is carrying any person
other than the operator.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Minimum age for operator. new text end

new text begin No person under the
age of 12 years may operate a motorized foot scooter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Protective headgear. new text end

new text begin No person under the age of
18 years may operate a motorized foot scooter without wearing
properly fitted and fastened protective headgear that complies
with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Required lighting equipment. new text end

new text begin A motorized foot
scooter must be equipped with a headlight and a taillight that
comply with standards established by the commissioner of public
safety if the vehicle is operated under conditions when vehicle
lights are required by law.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Operation requirements and prohibitions. new text end

new text begin (a) A
person operating a motorized foot scooter on a roadway shall
ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of
the roadway, except in the following situations:
new text end

new text begin (1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding
in the same direction;
new text end

new text begin (2) when preparing for a left turn, in which case the
operator shall stop and dismount at the right-hand curb or right
edge of the roadway, and shall complete the turn by crossing the
roadway on foot, subject to restrictions placed by law on
pedestrians; or
new text end

new text begin (3) when reasonably necessary to avoid impediments or
conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand
curb or edge, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving
objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface
hazards, or narrow lanes.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person may operate a motorized foot scooter on a
bicycle path, bicycle lane, bicycle trail, or bikeway that is
not reserved for the exclusive use of nonmotorized traffic,
unless the local authority or governing body having jurisdiction
over that path, lane, trail, or bikeway prohibits operation by
law.
new text end