It’s time we regulated motorized scooters. I mean really make them a non-gray area transportation means. I want to see them regulated in a way that their role on the roads becomes clear to everyone, and [scooter operators] become responsible for their actions.
As a bicyclist I have dealt with young teenager riders who have acted dangerously. Additionally, during the summer, scooter riders cruise the neighborhood lacking an adequate muffler at all hours. As a motorist I have had to follow scooters driving very slow and unwilling to move to the right side of the lane as they are legally obligated.
I have heard many conversations from scooter riders about what they have managed to get away with. This usually has to do with the laws regarding scooters motors being small.
I recognize there are many safe, conscientious riders of scooters: It’s the numerous, dangerous ones who are the most obvious.
Regulating scooters would make their riders financially and legally responsible for their actions. I see police harassing bicyclists regularly but never scooter riders. If scooter drivers cause an accident now, there is no financial recourse for the other parties involved beyond the court system. Insurance would make the rest of us safe from scooter drivers’ actions. Licensing and registration would provide the police the authority to require that scooters act safely.
I realize one of the points of having a scooter is to get away from this all, and that has fostered the problems. So let’s solve this by requiring scooters to become legal, responsible, licensed vehicles.
— Andrew Weatherly
Asheville
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