Cactus Village Community

MOTORIZED SKATEBOARDS—ARE YOU LEGAL?

Jul 10, 2003

Curious about the ordinances governing motorized skateboards and scooters we hear buzzing around the neighborhood? Parents?—read on!

According to Phoenix City Code 36-64, no person
shall operate a motorized skateboard:

?• On any sidewalk, except in crossing to gain access to a road or driveway.
?• In any city parking structure or city park, except on public roadways within a park.
?• On any public property that has been posted as an area prohibiting skateboards.
?• On any street, roadway, or highway with a posted speed limit of greater than twenty-five miles per hour.
?• On any public property, which is not held open to the public for vehicle use.
?• On any private property of another without the written permission of the owner.
?• On any public right-of-way, including streets, roadways, and alleyways, except during daylight hours and in no event before 7:00 A.M. or after 8:00 P.M.
?• Who is under the age of fourteen.
?• Who is under the age of eighteen on any right-of-way,
unless the person has in their possession written consent
signed by their parent or legal guardian, whose signature shall be notarized and contain the following:
?• Name and date of birth of the operator
?• Home address of the operator and the parent or guardian.
?• Home and work telephone number of the parent or guardian.

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 the discussed with him/her the regulations regarding the operation of motorized
skateboards in Phoenix (Phoenix City Code 36-64) and have assured myself that the operator understands these regulations.

OPERATING RESTRICTIONS

?• No person shall operate a motorized skateboard in excess of the posted speed limit or at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing and in no event greater than 25 miles per hour.
?• The operator of a motorized skateboard crossing a sidewalk or bicycle .path or lane shall yield the right-of-way to all other users.
?• Motorized skateboards may be operated on a path or lane designated as a bicycle path or lane. However, motorized skateboard operators shall yield at all times to other users.
?• No motorized skateboard shall be used to carry passengers when it is in operation or motion.
?• No person operating a motorized skateboard shall attach themselves (sic) in any manner to any other vehicle or person.
?• No person shall operate a motorized skateboard while carrying any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping both hands on the steering mechanism at all times.
?• No person shall operate a motorized skateboard that has been structurally or mechanically altered from the manufacturer?’s design.
?• No person shall operate a motorized skateboard in a crosswalk.
?• No operator of a motorized skateboard shall transport extra fuel in a separate container or alter the fuel reservoir from the original manufacturer?’s design.
?• Persons operating motorized skateboards on a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast.

A motorized skateboard shall ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway except when passing other vehicles, preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions.
It seems the code writers thought of everything and every possible scenario?—except helmets. But maybe that?’s just common sense.

Many thanks to CAO Karen Hughes, for obtaining this information for us!. . .☺