Cactus Village Community

Motorized Skateboards . . . By CAO Linda Johnston

Jul 27, 2003

More and more often, drivers are finding themselves sharing the road with children on motorized skateboards. And more and more often, hospital emergency rooms are treating children for injuries sustained while riding a motorized skateboard. Riders and their parents need to be aware of the laws regarding these vehicles.

Anyone 14 years old or older may operate a motorized skateboard on his or her own property. Phoenix City Code 36-64 states that anyone under 18 can?’t operate a motorized skateboard on any public property or right of way unless they have in their possession written consent by their parent or legal guardian, whose signature is notarized, that contains the name and date of birth of the operator, address of the operator and parent/guardian, home and work phone numbers of parent/guardian and the following statement:

I am the parent (or legal guardian,) of (?‘insert name of operator) and authorize him/her to operate a motorized skateboard in the City of Phoenix. I have read and discussed with him/her the regulations regarding the operations of motorized skateboards in Phoenix City Code Section 36-64, and have assured myself that the operator understands these regulations.

Motorized skateboards can?’t be ridden on city sidewalks, city parking structures, city parks, public property posted to prohibit skateboards, on any street, roadway, or highway with a posted speed limit over 25 m.p.h., on public property not open for public vehicle use, on private property without written permission of owner, on public right-of-way including streets, roadways and alleyways except during daylight hours, but not before 7:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.

Riders are also to obey traffic laws such as those regulating red lights, stop signs, crosswalks, speeding, yielding, and movements on the roadway.

Motorized skateboards can be operated on designated bike paths, but must yield at all times to other users.

In addition to the prohibitions I mentioned in the first part of the article, Phoenix City Code 36-64 prohibits riders of motorized skateboards from;

1. Carrying passengers while operating or moving,
2. Attaching a motorized skateboard in any way to another vehicle or person,
3. Carrying anything that prevents the operator from keeping his/her hands on the steering mechanism,
4. Structurally or mechanically altering the original manufacturer?’s design,
5. Transporting extra fuel in a container or altering the fuel reservoir,
6. Or, riding two abreast on a roadway.

Motorized skateboards are required to ride as close to the curb or roadway as possible, except when passing, turning left, or avoiding hazardous conditions. The city code also requires certain ?‘safety equipment?’. Each motorized skateboard must have a brake that enables the operator to make a braked wheel(s) skid on dry pavement.

If under 18, the rider must wear a helmet that meets the minimum safety standards by the bicycle industry, shoes that completely cover the feet & toes and have soles, And protective goggles, glasses or a transparent face shield.

Violations of Phoenix City Code 36-64 are civil traffic violations and are prosecuted & punished the same as any other civil traffic violations. As Parents and Guardians, you are responsible for your child?’s actions and safety. The city code also states that ?“No person shall, if a parent, guardian or custodian of a child under 18 years of. age, knowingly permit the child to violate this section?”.

Let?’s provide our children the education and necessary equipment to keep them safe! . . . ☻