New law, motorized scooter owners to have license

By MAURICE O. NDOLE

A new law that took effect Jan. 1 requires operators of motorized scooters to have a valid California driver’s license or instruction permit.

Owners of motorized scooters, two-wheeled motorbike-like vehicles with upright handles that reach slightly below the waist, will in effect be eligible for a citation if found in violation of the law.

According to a memorandum released by university police, the use of motorized scooters has been prohibited on unless the scooter has been equipped properly with a maintained muffler.

“We are just trying to make the students aware of the new law so that they can be cautious,” David Huerta, university police chief said.

The memorandum also prohibits recreational use of motorized and non-motorized scooters and in-line skates on campus.

Liberal Arts major Luis Gutierrez said he thought the law was unnecessary.

“Most of those people drive at about 15 mph. They should just have a couple of rules they should follow,” Gutierrez said. “They should make them take like a psychological test, because some people think it’s a toy, but it’s not a toy.”

Public relations major Jill Fuchser also said the new law was unnecessary.

“I don’t think it will be necessary to have a drivers license as long as they’re 16 yearsold.” Fuchser said. “I think the law they had in 2000 was good enough.”

In 2000, motorized scooter operators were not required to have a driver’s license.

Freshman Veronica Picinni, said the rule prohibiting recreational skateboarding around campus was unfair.

“I don’t see a problem with us coming here when people are not there it’s not like we want to cause trouble,” Picinni said.

The law, sponsored by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Oakland, also prohibits manufacturers and retailers from seling motorized scooters producing more than 80 decibels of sound within a distance of 50 feet.

According to the AAA website, the law additionally prohibits a person from altering or modifying the exhaust system of a motorized scooter in violation of specified noise restrictions and muffler requirements.

The new law, which is amended from an existing law that took effect in January 2000, previously required users of motorized scooters to be at least 16 years old, to wear a bicycle helmet regardless of the age and to drive at a speed of not more than 25 mph except on marked bicycle lanes, among other rules.

The new law; however, allows people under the age of 16 to ride the scooters after obtaining instruction.

The permit can be acquired six months before their 16th birthday.

Injuries related to motorized scooters have been on the increase according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Most of the injuries involved children under the age 16, who were not wearing helmets.