Lynn police enforce ban on motorized scooters
By Phoebe Sweet
Friday, July 16, 2004
LYNN -- Motorized scooter owners caught riding in the city may soon find themselves taking a ride in a police car instead.
The City Council gave police more power to enforce a citywide ban on motorized scooters and skateboards Tuesday, voting unanimously to allow police to seize scooters on a first offense, escort the riders home before returning the vehicles, and assess a $100 fines.
The ordinance, which gives teeth to an existing ban on scooters and similar motorized vehicles, is aimed a keeping kids off what many say are dangerous and speedy means of transportation.
"A lot of people don't realize these scooters are illegal," said Deputy Chief of Police Kevin Coppinger at a Tuesday hearing on the ordinance.
He said the majority of complaints from monthly neighborhood groups are about the scooters. He said the ban has been difficult to enforce because there is little means of tracking offenses, since cops were previously required to give a warning before issuing a citation or seizing scooters and returning them to parents.
"We get many, many complaints," he said. "It's a very dangerous situation."
Coppinger said the ban does not include handicapped scooters and landscaping vehicles such as lawnmowers, but covers any scooter or motorized skateboard not registered with the state's registry of motor vehicles.
Fifteen residents came to support Coppinger's request for the additional restrictions on scooters.
Lynn resident Peter Cogliano said he has had "several near misses" with scooters in his Mudge Street neighborhood.
"Somebody will eventually get killed and no one wants that," said Cogliano.
Other residents complained of noise caused by the scooters, some of which they said can travel up to 35 miles per hour.
"I am afraid that someone gets hurt and besides, these things make a racket. You can't even sit on your porch on a summer day," said Grove Street resident Sam Benedict.
He said children on scooters race up and down the one-way street day and night.
Other residents expressed concerns about plastic gas tanks on the vehicles exploding and injuring children, tots being hit by the scooters, and police not being able to chase the speedy vehicles through residential neighborhoods.
"It's such a danger. Some can go 30 miles per hour," said Jackie Courtney. "These young kids are riding double on a small bike on the sidewalk with no helmet and they are zigging and zagging."
But for one self-described "responsible father" who said both he and his son own the mini bikes, it is a case of a few bad apples spoiling the fun for everyone.
"I understand how everyone feels, but I am a responsible parent and my kid's responsible," said Hollingsworth Street resident R.C. Rucker. "People should take more responsibility for their kids."
Rucker said both he and his son, who raised the money to purchase his own scooter, wear helmets when they ride their vehicles, which only go 15 miles per hour.
The additional restrictions on scooters passed the Ordinance Committee by a 2-to-1 vote, with Councilor Wayne Lozzi voting against the measures, and passed the full council unanimously.
Posted Fri 16 Jul, 2004 14:16:
Perosnally as a avid motorcyclist/big boy with toys I dont think there should be an outright ban on these,restriction/safety standerds yes but no ban. I would guess the 15 people that showed up are probally elderly.
Again the minority decides what the majority can do. :evil:
Get out and vote............
By Phoebe Sweet
Friday, July 16, 2004
LYNN -- Motorized scooter owners caught riding in the city may soon find themselves taking a ride in a police car instead.
The City Council gave police more power to enforce a citywide ban on motorized scooters and skateboards Tuesday, voting unanimously to allow police to seize scooters on a first offense, escort the riders home before returning the vehicles, and assess a $100 fines.
The ordinance, which gives teeth to an existing ban on scooters and similar motorized vehicles, is aimed a keeping kids off what many say are dangerous and speedy means of transportation.
"A lot of people don't realize these scooters are illegal," said Deputy Chief of Police Kevin Coppinger at a Tuesday hearing on the ordinance.
He said the majority of complaints from monthly neighborhood groups are about the scooters. He said the ban has been difficult to enforce because there is little means of tracking offenses, since cops were previously required to give a warning before issuing a citation or seizing scooters and returning them to parents.
"We get many, many complaints," he said. "It's a very dangerous situation."
Coppinger said the ban does not include handicapped scooters and landscaping vehicles such as lawnmowers, but covers any scooter or motorized skateboard not registered with the state's registry of motor vehicles.
Fifteen residents came to support Coppinger's request for the additional restrictions on scooters.
Lynn resident Peter Cogliano said he has had "several near misses" with scooters in his Mudge Street neighborhood.
"Somebody will eventually get killed and no one wants that," said Cogliano.
Other residents complained of noise caused by the scooters, some of which they said can travel up to 35 miles per hour.
"I am afraid that someone gets hurt and besides, these things make a racket. You can't even sit on your porch on a summer day," said Grove Street resident Sam Benedict.
He said children on scooters race up and down the one-way street day and night.
Other residents expressed concerns about plastic gas tanks on the vehicles exploding and injuring children, tots being hit by the scooters, and police not being able to chase the speedy vehicles through residential neighborhoods.
"It's such a danger. Some can go 30 miles per hour," said Jackie Courtney. "These young kids are riding double on a small bike on the sidewalk with no helmet and they are zigging and zagging."
But for one self-described "responsible father" who said both he and his son own the mini bikes, it is a case of a few bad apples spoiling the fun for everyone.
"I understand how everyone feels, but I am a responsible parent and my kid's responsible," said Hollingsworth Street resident R.C. Rucker. "People should take more responsibility for their kids."
Rucker said both he and his son, who raised the money to purchase his own scooter, wear helmets when they ride their vehicles, which only go 15 miles per hour.
The additional restrictions on scooters passed the Ordinance Committee by a 2-to-1 vote, with Councilor Wayne Lozzi voting against the measures, and passed the full council unanimously.
Posted Fri 16 Jul, 2004 14:16:
Perosnally as a avid motorcyclist/big boy with toys I dont think there should be an outright ban on these,restriction/safety standerds yes but no ban. I would guess the 15 people that showed up are probally elderly.
Again the minority decides what the majority can do. :evil:
Get out and vote............
