For the purpose of this chapter, a motorized skateboard is defined as a self-propelled device that has a motor, a deck on which a person may ride and has at least 2 wheels in contact with the ground and that is not otherwise defined in A.R.S. Title 28, as amended, as a "motor vehicle," "motor cycle," "motor-driven cycle," or "motorized wheelchair."
A. Obedience to traffic laws.
1. Except as to those provisions of law that by their nature can have no application, any person operating a motorized skateboard on a roadway or on any shoulder adjoining a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by both:
a. The laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles; and
b. The traffic laws of the city applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
2. This section shall not be construed to require the licensing or registration of motorized skateboards, the licensing of motorized skateboard operators or the carrying of insurance covering accidents involving motorized skateboards.
B. Responsibilities of parents, guardians and custodians. The parent, guardian or legal custodian of any minor or ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit such minor or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
C. Operation prohibited in certain areas and at certain times.
1. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard on any sidewalk except for use in crossing such sidewalk to gain access to any public or private road or driveway.
2. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard in any city parking structure or city park, except for use on public roadways within the park on which a motorized skateboard is otherwise allowed.
3. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard on any public property that has been posted or designated by the owner of the property as an area in which the operation of motorized skateboards is prohibited.
4. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard on any private property of another, or any public property that is not held open to the public for vehicle use, without the written permission of the owner, or the owner’s authorized agent.
5. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard on any public roadway having a speed limit established at greater than 30 mph.
6. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard on a city right-of-way, including streets, roadways, and alley ways, except during daylight and in no event before 7:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.
7. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard in a business district.
D. General operating restrictions.
1. No child under the age of 14 shall operate a motorized skateboard.
2. No person shall operate a 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. A person operating a motorized skateboard, approaching a sidewalk, bicycle path, bicycle lane, or multi-use path in order to cross such, shall yield the right-of-way to all other users.
4. No person operating a motorized skateboard shall allow passengers when the motorized skateboard is in operation or motion.
5. No person operating or riding upon a motorized skateboard shall attach themselves or the motorized skateboard in any manner to any other vehicle.
6. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard while carrying any package, bundle or article that prevents the operator from keeping both hands upon the steering mechanism at all times.
7. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard that has had any of the mechanical or safety equipment altered from the original manufacturer’s specifications. This includes but is not limited to the muffler and fuel reservoir.
8. No person operating a motorized skateboard shall transport extra fuel in a separate container from the installed fuel reservoir. This includes the prohibition of physically attaching fuel packs or containers to the operator’s person.
9. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard in a manner causing excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or that causes discomfort or annoyance to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.
E. Required safety equipment.
1. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard at any time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles at a distance of 500 feet ahead.
2. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard unless it is equipped with a brake that enables the operator to make a braked wheel(s) skid on pavement.
3. A person under the age of 18 years operating a motorized skateboard on 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 inspection as approved by the bicycle industry.
4. No person shall operate a motorized skateboard without wearing footwear. The footwear must have a sole and completely cover the feet and toes.
5. A person operating a motorized skateboard shall wear, at all times, protective glasses or goggles or a transparent face shield of a type approved for motorcycle or motor drive cycle use.
F. Violations; penalty. A violation of this section of the Lake Havasu City Code shall be a civil offense punishable by a sanction as fixed by the Court of no more than $300.
(Ord. 04-727, passed - -2004)