The use of motorized scooters has been prohibited in the Town of West New York. The town’s Board of Commissioners passed an amendment to the town ordinance regulating the use of Rollerblades, in-line skates, roller skates, skateboards and scooters at their Aug. 21 meeting.
"We are concerned for the safety of our residents and for the quality of life in our community," said West New York Deputy Chief of Police Thomas O’Donnell. "It is very unsafe for juveniles to be on these motorized scooters and has been a disturbance to the people shopping on Bergenline Avenue and in the parks."
The board was acting on a request from the police department in passing this ordinance.
Although the motorized scooters have only been an issue in the past 18 months, O’Donnell said that the police department has been receiving numerous complaints about them.
"This is the way to address [those complaints]," said O’Donnell. "It is appropriate to use these scooters during certain times and in a safe manner."
Besides banning motorized scooters, the amendment also limits the hours and number of streets on which skateboards, roller skates, Rollerblades, in-line skates and non-motorized scooters can be used.
No motors
According to the amendment passed last week, motor scooters can be confiscated by police officers and their users can be issued a summons. The motorized scooters will only be returned if the owner pleads guilty and pays a fine, or is found not guilty by a municipal court judge.
Any person found in violation of this ordinance maybe fined anywhere between $50 and $1,000, according to the ordinance. A municipal court judge will determine the fines.
The ordinance also states that the parent of any person under the age of 14 found not wearing a helmet, elbow pads and knew pads will be fined up to $1,000 for each offense. These penalties must be paid unless the parent presents proof that the equipment has been purchased since the violation occurred.
Other limitations
The ordinance has also set time limitations on the use of non-motorized scooters, skateboards, roller skates, Rollerblades and in-line skates. The time limits only apply to the busiest streets, however.
According to the ordinance, these devices can only be used from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Bergenline Avenue between 49th to 67th streets, on 60th Street from Kennedy Boulevard to Boulevard East, and on Kennedy Boulevard between 49th and 67th streets.
"Those are the times that we have the most people on Bergenline Avenue and in the parks," said Deputy Chief Thomas O’Donnell. "That is when we want to have safety considered."
The use of skateboards, Rollerblades, roller skates, in-line skates and scooters was already prohibited in all parks, ballfields and playgrounds in West New York. This ordinance also prohibits the use of these devices on any road with a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour, state roadways or county roadways. The person using any of these devices must also be wearing protective gear, such as a helmet, elbow and kneepads and should follow all traffic laws.
Neighboring Union City passed a similar ordinance prohibiting the use of motorized scooters in their city last month.