Recently, I have received many requests for information in regards to riding scooters on city streets and so I am providing an update to my September 2013 column.
Motor scooters and mopeds have become common on the streets of Carson City. I am regularly asked if mopeds and motor scooters are legal as many are unregistered. Yes, some scooters may be operated upon the roadways however, there are restrictions. First, you cannot operate the scooter in a travel lane where the speed zone exceeds the scooters maximum speed.
A scooter need not be registered nor insured if the motor is under 50cc (cubic centimeters) and the vehicle does not exceed 30 mph on a level roadway.
If a scooter exceeds either of the above limitations, then it is considered a motorcycle and must be registered and insured as well as the rider being licensed for motorcycle operation.
Also, if at all possible, you should avoid riding in a lane designated for bicycle traffic however, should you end up in a bicycle lane, you must yield to bicycle riders. Many pathways in Carson City are posted “No motorized vehicles.”
These are designed for bicycle and pedestrian traffic only. The scooter must have almost all the same equipment as a motorcycle (lights, mirrors, etc.) with the exception of turn signals. If these are absent then you will need to rely on hand signals for turning and stopping.
If the scooter is not designed by the manufacturer for passengers than additional riders are not recommended as this could lead to the operator losing control of the scooter. Riders must obey all traffic laws when operating a scooter on the public roadway.
A class C driver’s license is required to operate a scooter on the roadway and, although the wearing of a DOT (Department of Transportation) approved helmet is recommended, it is not a requirement.
It is important to remember that, just like a motorcycle rider, you are difficult to see by motor vehicle traffic and the risk of a head injury in a crash could occur should you not be wearing a helmet.
Other vehicles with small engines such as pocket bikes are not scooters and are considered off road vehicles which are not permitted on public roadways.
This summer (we expect to see) a large increase in scooter traffic. As this becomes a more popular mode of transportation, the risk of riders being involved in crashes increases. It is both the motor vehicle and scooter operator’s responsibility to ensure that the road is shared safely. Let’s look out for one another and keep our community crash free.
— Sgt. Scott McDaniel is with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and writes a regular public safety column.