Chapter 10.82
SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER SKATES, COASTERS, IN-LINE SKATES, MOTORIZED FOOT SCOOTERS AND SIMILAR DEVICES

Sections:

10.82.010    Definitions.

10.82.020    Duty to obey traffic-control devices and rules of the road.

10.82.030    Riding on sidewalks and public paths.

10.82.040    Prohibited areas.

10.82.050    Repealed.

10.82.052    Requirements for operating motorized foot scooters.

10.82.054    Parental responsibility.

10.82.060    Penalties.

10.82.010 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

(1) “Skateboard” has its ordinary meaning and means a footboard mounted upon four or more wheels and is usually propelled by the user who sometimes stands, sits, kneels or lays upon the device while it is in motion.

(2) “Roller skates” has its ordinary meaning and means a pair of shoes, mounted upon two sets of wheels, and is most often propelled by the user in an upright, standing position or kneeling.

(3) “Coasters” has its ordinary meaning and means a footboard mounted upon two or more wheels and controlled by an upright steering handle. This device is propelled by the user in usually an upright position.

(4) “In-line skates” has its ordinary meaning and means a pair of shoes or boots, mounted upon three or more sets of wheels located one behind the other under the attached shoe or boot, and is most often propelled by the user in an upright, standing position.

(5) “Motorized foot scooter” is a device with no more than two 10-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; provided, that “motorized foot scooter” shall not include any of the following devices as defined in the referenced provisions of the RCW:

 

Electric-assisted bicycle

RCW 46.04.169

Electric personal assistive mobility device

RCW 46.04.1695

Moped

RCW 46.04.304

Motorcycle

RCW 46.04.330

Motor-driven cycle

RCW 46.04.332

Power wheelchair

RCW 46.04.415

Wheelchair conveyance

RCW 46.04.710

(Ord. 3069 § 4, 2014; Ord. 2815 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2625 § 1, 1999).

10.82.020 Duty to obey traffic-control devices and rules of the road.

Any person operating a skateboard, roller skates, coaster, in-line skates, motorized foot scooter, or similar device shall obey all rules of the road applicable to vehicle or pedestrian traffic, as well as the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (Ord. 2815 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2625 § 1, 1999).

10.82.030 Riding on sidewalks and public paths.

(1) No person shall operate a skateboard, roller skates, coaster, in-line skates, motorized foot scooter, or similar device upon a sidewalk or public path in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property.

(2) For purposes of this section, “negligent” means the failure to exercise ordinary care, and is the doing of some act that a reasonably careful person would not do under the same or similar circumstances or the failure to do something that a reasonably careful person would do under the same or similar circumstances. (Ord. 3069 § 5, 2014).

10.82.040 Prohibited areas.

(1) Public Parking Lots and Garages. It is unlawful for any person to operate or ride upon any skateboard, roller skates, coaster, in-line skates, motorized foot scooter or similar device upon any publicly owned parking lot or garage in the city of Puyallup.

(2) Parks, Sidewalks, Trails, and Streets with a Maximum Speed Limit Above 25 Miles per Hour Prohibited to Motorized Foot Scooters. Pursuant to Chapter 10.80 PMC, motorized foot scooters are prohibited from city parks and other marked nonmotorized corridors, except for use of wheelchair conveyances. Motorized foot scooters are also prohibited from being operated on sidewalks within the city limits, city-owned trails, or on any city street with a posted maximum speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour.

(3) Exceptions. This section shall not apply to any disabled person using a wheelchair conveyance as defined in RCW 46.04.710, strollers used to transport small children, or city equipment. (Ord. 3069 § 6, 2014; Ord. 2941 § 1, 2009; Ord. 2815 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2625 § 1, 1999).

10.82.050 Exceptions.

Repealed by Ord. 2815. (Ord. 2625 § 1, 1999).

10.82.052 Requirements for operating motorized foot scooters.

(1) Minimum Age. No motorized foot scooter shall be operated on streets or other public areas not otherwise prohibited by this chapter to motorized foot scooters unless the operator is at least 16 years of age. No operator’s license is required from the Department of Licensing to operate a motorized foot scooter.

(2) Helmet and Reflectors. The following equipment shall be required whenever a motorized foot scooter is operated on streets or other public property within the city:

(a) Helmet Required. Any person operating a motorized foot scooter or riding as a passenger on or in tow of a motorized foot scooter upon any public area in the city of Puyallup shall wear an approved helmet designed for safety that meets or exceeds the standards adopted in PMC 10.62.020(3), and shall have either the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely while the motorized foot scooter is in motion. No person shall transport another person on or in tow of a motorized foot scooter upon any public area in the jurisdiction of the city of Puyallup, unless the passenger is wearing a helmet that meets the requirements of this chapter.

(b) Reflectors Required. Pursuant to RCW 46.20.500, a motorized foot scooter must be affixed with visible reflectors of a type approved by the Washington State Patrol whenever the vehicle is operated at any time between one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before dawn.

(3) Hours of Operation. Motorized foot scooters shall not be operated in the city between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (Ord. 2815 § 1, 2004).

10.82.054 Parental responsibility.

A parent or guardian who has custody of any child or ward under the age of 18 shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter. Any parent or guardian receiving a warning of a possible violation of this section shall be deemed to have authorized or knowingly permitted a child or ward to violate this chapter if a subsequent violation occurs within one year of receiving a warning. (Ord. 2815 § 1, 2004).

10.82.060 Penalties.

A violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punishable as a civil infraction as defined in Chapter 1.02 PMC. The base penalty for a civil infraction issued for violating a section of this chapter shall be as follows:

(1) First violation: $50.00 plus statutory assessments; and

(2) Second and subsequent violations: $250.00 plus statutory assessments. (Ord. 3069 § 7, 2014).