CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the City’s traffic code; amending Sections 11.46.010 and 11.46.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code to revise permissible areas of operation in the right-of-way and other public pathways for electric personal assistive mobility devices and motorized foot scooters.
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WHEREAS, in 2004, the City Council passed Ordinance 121518, adding a new section to Chapter 11.14 of the Seattle Municipal Code defining and establishing in the City’s Traffic Code rules of operation for electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs) and motorized foot scooters; and
WHEREAS, use of private motorized foot scooters as a transportation mode for short trips has expanded significantly since 2004; and
WHEREAS, the introduction of free-floating scooter share programs have proliferated around the world and The City of Seattle is designing a pilot permit program for free-floating scooter share; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 11.46.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123190, is amended as follows:
11.46.010 Areas of operation
A. Except as otherwise provided in this ((chapter)) Chapter 11.46, motorized foot scooters may be operated on roadways, shoulders, ((and)) alleys, bicycle lanes, and public paths, but not on sidewalks, ((bicycle lanes, or public paths.)) unless there is no alternative for a motorized foot scooter to travel over a sidewalk that is part of a bicycle or pedestrian path.
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E. The provisions of this ((section)) Section 11.46.010 limiting the use of EPAMDs and/or electric motorized foot scooters ((in parks or on sidewalks, bicycle lanes, public paths, public school playfields, or public school playgrounds)) do not apply ((to an EPAMD or electric motorized foot scooter)) when that device is operated by a person with a mobility impairment caused by a physical disability who uses that device to enhance that person's mobility.
Section 2. Section 11.46.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 121518, is amended as follows:
11.46.020 Rules of operation
Subject to the limitations on areas of operation contained in Section 11.46.010, the following rules of operation apply to EPAMDs and/or motorized foot scooters, as indicated:
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F. Except as otherwise provided in this ((chapter)) Chapter 11.46, operators of EPAMDs and electric motorized foot scooters shall have the same rights and duties as ((:
(1))) operators of bicycles when upon any portion of a highway. ((except a sidewalk, crosswalk, or pedestrian zone.; and
(2) pedestrians when upon and sidewalk, crosswalk, or pedestrian zone.))
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2020, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2020.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)