Kirkland imposes limitations on scooters

By Nick Perry
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

Mayor Mary-Alyce Burleigh said younger riders are not savvy enough with road rules.

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Related stories Seattle City Council restricts use of motor scooters

The City Council voted to ban the scooters from sidewalks and parks, and from streets with speed limits over 25 mph. Scooter drivers must be at least 15 years old, wear a helmet, and use a headlight and rear reflector from a half-hour after sunset until a half-hour before sunrise, the council decided.

Like many cities in the region, Kirkland has been debating how to balance the increasing popularity of motorized scooters against the rising number of complaints from residents concerned about young, reckless drivers and excessive noise.

Renton, Issaquah and Auburn have also voted for scooter restrictions in recent weeks. In May, a 15-year-old boy was seriously injured in Issaquah when his scooter hit a sidewalk dip and he flew into the path of a car.

In Kirkland, the council had planned to vote on scooter restrictions last month but decided first to give more thought to the question of at what age teens could be expected to responsibly handle scooters.

Age continued to be a hot issue last night. The Kirkland Transportation Commission, for a second time, recommended a minimum age of 13, arguing that an older age limit would cut out much of the demographic that uses scooters. Three council members appeared to agree with a lower age limit but were outvoted.

Kirkland Mayor Mary-Alyce Burleigh said younger riders are not savvy enough with road rules. "These are people who I daresay have not read the driver's manual," she said.

Councilman Jim Lauinger argued that a new generation of more sophisticated — and speedier — "pocket bikes" makes it more crucial that younger teens are kept off the streets.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com

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