10.15.200 Regulation of motorized play and low visibility vehicles.
A. Definitions.
“Low visibility vehicle” means a self-propelled vehicle with a seat less than 24 inches from the ground, such as a “pocket motorcycle.”
“Motorized play vehicle” means a coaster, scooter, any other alternatively fueled device or other motorized vehicle with a seat not less than 24 inches from the ground that is self-propelled by a motor or engine, and which is not otherwise defined in A.R.S. Title 28 as a “motor vehicle,” “motor-driven cycle” or “motorized wheelchair.” It does not include self-propelled vehicles with seats lower than 24 inches from the ground, such as a “pocket motorcycle,” which for purposes of this section are “low visibility vehicles.”
“Motorized skateboard” means a self-propelled device which has a motor or engine, a deck on which a person may ride and at least two wheels in contact with the ground and which is not otherwise defined in A.R.S. Title 28, as amended, as a “motor vehicle,” “motor-driven cycle” or “motorized wheelchair.”
“Operator” means a person who operates or is in actual physical control of a motorized play vehicle or a motorized skateboard upon a public roadway, sidewalk, right-of-way, park, bicycle path or any other public property used for the operation of motor vehicles.
“Owner” means a person who holds the legal title to a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard, or any person who is a lessee, conditional vendee or mortgagor of a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard with a right to immediate possession.
B. Application of Traffic Laws.
1. All traffic laws shall apply to persons riding motorized play vehicles and motorized skateboards. Every person operating a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles, or by the traffic regulations of this city applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special regulations under this title and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.
2. This section shall not be construed to require the licensing or registration of motorized play vehicles or motorized skateboards, the licensing of motorized play vehicle or skateboard operators, or the carrying of insurance covering accidents involving motorized play vehicles or motorized skateboards.
3. It is unlawful for any person operating a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard not to obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs and other traffic direction devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
C. Responsibility of Parents, Guardians and Custodians. No person shall, if a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child, authorize or knowingly permit any child to violate this chapter.
D. Prohibited Operation. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard:
1. On any sidewalk, except for use in crossing such sidewalks by the most direct route to gain access to any public or private road or driveway.
2. On any public property that has been posted or designated by the owner of such property as an area prohibiting “skateboards.”
3. On any public roadway consisting of a total of four or more marked traffic lanes, or having an established speed limit of greater than 30 miles per hour.
4. On any private property of another, or any public property which is not held open to the public for vehicle use, without the written permission of the owner, the person entitled to immediate possession of the property, or the authorized agent of either.
E. General Operating Restrictions.
1. No child under the age of 13 shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard.
2. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard in excess of the posted speed limit or at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing.
3. The operator of a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard, approaching a sidewalk, bicycle path, bicycle lane, or multiuse path in order to cross such, shall yield to the right-of-way of all other users.
4. Motorized play vehicles and motorized skateboards may be operated on a path or lane that is designated as a bicycle path or lane by state or local authorities. However, motorized play vehicles and motorized skateboard operators on said bicycle path or lane shall yield at all times to other users.
5. No operator of a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard shall allow passengers when the motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard is in operation or motion.
6. No person operating or riding upon a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard shall attach themselves or the motorized skateboard in any manner to another vehicle.
7. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard while carrying any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping both hands upon the steering mechanism at all times.
8. No person, other than the owner, shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard without the written permission of the owner.
9. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard that has been structurally altered from the original manufactured design.
10. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard in a crosswalk.
F. Operating Restrictions on Roadway.
1. No operator of a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard shall transport extra fuel in a separate container or alter the fuel reservoir from the original manufacturer’s design. This includes the prohibition of physically attaching fuel packs or containers to the operator’s person.
2. Persons operating motorized play vehicles or motorized skateboards on the roadway shall not ride more than two abreast.
G. Required Safety Equipment.
1. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard without a head lamp emitting a beam and a red rear reflector anytime from sunset to sunrise, or any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernable persons or vehicles on the roadway.
a. A head lamp shall emit a white light and be visible from the front at a distance no less than 500 feet.
b. A rear red reflector shall be visible when illuminated by a vehicle head lamp from a distance of no less than 300 feet.
c. A rear red lamp visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the rear red reflector.
2. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard unless it is equipped with a brake which enables the operator to make a braked wheel(s) skid on pavement.
3. Any operator of a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard under the age of 18 years being operated in a roadway shall at all times wear a protective helmet on his or her head in an appropriate and safely secured manner. The helmet shall meet minimum standards of testing and safety inspected by the bicycle industry.
4. No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard without wearing footwear. The footwear must have a sole and completely cover the feet and toes.
H. Low Profile Vehicles Prohibited. No person shall operate a low profile vehicle as defined in this section, including “pocket motorcycles,” on any public street, way, or alley within the city of Sedona.
I. Violations. Violations of this section are civil traffic violations and shall be filed and prosecuted in accordance with SCC 1.15.010(D), as amended. [Code 2006 § 11-3-20. Ord. 2005-16, 12-13-2005].