a. For purposes of this section, the term "motorized scooter" shall mean any wheeled device that has handlebars that is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, is powered by an electric motor or by a gasoline motor that is capable of propelling the device without human power and is not capable of being registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. For the purposes of this section, the term motorized scooter shall not include wheelchairs or other mobility devices designed for use by persons with disabilities; or an electric scooter as such term is defined in section 114-e of the vehicle and traffic law or successor provision; or a bicycle with electric assist as defined in section 102-c of the vehicle and traffic law or successor provision.
b. No person shall operate a motorized scooter on streets or in parks and other public places in the city of New York.
c. Any person who violates subdivision b of this section shall be liable for a civil penalty in the amount of $250. Authorized employees of the police department and department of parks and recreation shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this section. Such penalties shall be recovered in a civil action or in a proceeding commenced by the service of a notice of violation that shall be returnable before the environmental control board. In addition, such violation shall be a traffic infraction and shall be punishable in accordance with section eighteen hundred of the New York state vehicle and traffic law.
d. Any motorized scooter that has been used or is being used in violation of the provisions of this section that has been operated in a manner that endangers the safety of the operator or the safety or property of another may be impounded and shall not be released until any and all removal charges and storage fees and the applicable fines and civil penalties have been paid or a bond has been posted in an amount satisfactory to the commissioner of the agency that impounded such device.
e. Operators of electric scooters as defined in section 114-e of the vehicle and traffic law, and operators of bicycles with electric assist as defined in section 102-c of the vehicle and traffic law, or successor provisions, shall be subject to the same rights and responsibilities attributed to operators of bicycles pursuant to the vehicle and traffic law, this code and the rules of the department, and shall be subject to any additional applicable provisions of the vehicle and traffic law, this code and rules of the department.
(Am. L.L. 2020/072, 7/26/2020, eff. 11/23/2020; Am. L.L. 2020/073, 7/26/2020, eff. 11/23/2020)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2004/051.