Although motorized scooters are becoming more and more popular, with bicycle shops all over the area offering the speedy vehicles to interested customers, don’t try to bring those two-wheeled demons into North Bergen.
The North Bergen Board of Commissioners voted recently to place a ban on motorized scooters, citing safety reasons. They adopted an amendment to an existing ordinance that already placed regulations on inline skating, skateboards and regular man-powered scooter use.
“We see the dangers that these scooters cause, not just for children, but for pedestrians and drivers as well,” Sacco said. “Having control over something that is motorized is not the same as controlling a bicycle. They are a danger. They travel at a high rate of speed. There were some major concerns and we moved right away to alleviate any problems.”
The move was made in conjunction with neighboring towns like West New York, Union City, Guttenberg and Weehawken, which have all already placed the bans on the scooters.
Under the new amended ordinance, the motor of the scooter does not even have to be running for it to be in violation. Police are now empowered to confiscate the vehicle if necessary until the violator pays the fine imposed. The fines range from $50 to as much as $250 per offense.
“We had some calls from residents who were saying how unsafe the scooters were,” Sacco said. “It was an accident waiting to happen. These scooters might be of good use in certain areas, but not in a highly populated area like North Bergen.”
There were also reports of scooter users taking the motorized machines, some of which travel as much as 35 miles per hour, on sidewalks and walkways, which is just a recipe for disaster.
“Bicycle traffic isn’t even supposed to be on the sidewalks,” Sacco said. “These scooters are just too dangerous to even be on the roads, never mind the sidewalks.”
Another reason for concern in North Bergen is the terrain. With many of the township’s streets situated on steep inclines and hills, the scooters become even more dangerous.
“They can pick up considerable speed on the hills,” Sacco said. “Even on flat land, they’re dangerous, but on the hills, they’re worse. They can’t be used at all.”
The original ordinance called for children under the age of 14 to wear full protective gear, like helmets, wrist guards and elbow and knee pads, when using inline skates, roller blades, skateboards and scooters.
The law also prohibited the use of riding or skating on the state and county roads, and streets that have posted speed limits in excess of 33 miles per hour.
Under the original law, a parent or guardian of a child who failed to abide by the law was subject to the fines, which were $25 for a first offense and $100 for added violations.
However, the majority of these motorized scooter customers and users have been older than 14, because of the cost of the scooters.
“We’re glad that these scooters can’t be used at all,” Sacco said. “Our town was in danger of having these utilized.”
Some people in the scooter industry are upset that towns are enforcing these laws.
“I understand that town officials are worried that the scooters aren’t safe, but I know that they are,” said Peter Rasmussen, the president and CEO of MotorScooters, Inc., based in upstate New York. “We try to have our dealers instruct customers how to properly use the scooters before they go out of the showroom. I think we’re always thinking safety first. But it is a blow to us if towns don’t allow the scooters to be used. We firmly stick by our safety records.”