1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to traffic regulations; defining motorized
1.3 	foot scooters and regulating their use and operation;
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.01, by
1.5 	adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in
1.6 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.01, is
1.9 	amended by adding a subdivision to read:
1.10 		Subd. 4c.Motorized foot scooter. "Motorized foot
1.11 	scooter" means a device with no more than two ten-inch or
1.12 	smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be
1.13 	stood or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by an internal
1.14 	combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of
1.15 	propelling the device with or without human propulsion.  An
1.16 	electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorized
1.17 	bicycle, an electric-assisted bicycle, or a motorcycle is not a
1.18 	motorized foot scooter.

1.19 	Sec. 2. [169.225] MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTER.
1.20 		Subdivision 1.Application of traffic laws. Every person
1.21 	operating a motorized foot scooter shall have all rights and
1.22 	duties applicable to the operator of a bicycle, except in
1.23 	respect to those provisions relating expressly to motorized foot
1.24 	scooters and in respect to those provisions of law that by their
1.25 	nature cannot reasonably be applied to motorized foot scooters.
1.26 		Subd. 2.Sidewalk and passenger prohibition. No person
2.1 	may operate a motorized foot scooter upon a sidewalk, except
2.2 	when necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.  No person
2.3 	may operate a motorized foot scooter that is carrying any person
2.4 	other than the operator.
2.5 		Subd. 3.Minimum age for operator. No person under the
2.6 	age of 12 years may operate a motorized foot scooter.
2.7 		Subd. 4.Protective headgear. No person under the age of
2.8 	18 years may operate a motorized foot scooter without wearing
2.9 	properly fitted and fastened protective headgear that complies
2.10 	with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.
2.11 		Subd. 5.Required lighting equipment. A motorized foot
2.12 	scooter must be equipped with a headlight and a taillight that
2.13 	comply with standards established by the commissioner of public
2.14 	safety if the vehicle is operated under conditions when vehicle
2.15 	lights are required by law.
2.16 		Subd. 6.Operation requirements and prohibitions. (a) A
2.17 	person operating a motorized foot scooter on a roadway shall
2.18 	ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of
2.19 	the roadway, except in the following situations:
2.20 	(1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding
2.21 	in the same direction;
2.22 	(2) when preparing for a left turn, in which case the
2.23 	operator shall stop and dismount at the right-hand curb or right
2.24 	edge of the roadway, and shall complete the turn by crossing the
2.25 	roadway on foot, subject to restrictions placed by law on
2.26 	pedestrians; or 
2.27 	(3) when reasonably necessary to avoid impediments or
2.28 	conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand
2.29 	curb or edge, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving
2.30 	objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface
2.31 	hazards, or narrow lanes.
2.32 	(b) A person may operate a motorized foot scooter on a
2.33 	bicycle path, bicycle lane, bicycle trail, or bikeway that is
2.34 	not reserved for the exclusive use of nonmotorized traffic,
2.35 	unless the local authority or governing body having jurisdiction
2.36 	over that path, lane, trail, or bikeway prohibits operation by
3.1 	law.