Westown Block Watch

MOTORIZED SCOOTERS

Dec 31, 2006

Effective December 15, 2004, the Phoenix City Council has approved a ban on
ALL motorized skateboards / scooters/ and motorized play vehicles from
operating on public right of ways. This includes ALL streets and sidewalks.
Play vehicles are becoming a major safety concern as well as a quality of life issue with
residents of Phoenix . Due to the ever-changing designs by retailers, it is difficult to adopt
rules governing every type of PLAY VEHICLE. Many retailers are advising consumers
that PLAY VEHICLES are in fact OK to operate on side streets and sidewalks and that is
false.
Motorized skateboards were legal to operate on residential streets with numerous
restrictions applied, but operators rarely followed the rules and residents were disturbed
by the noise and unsafe operation. This ban will no longer allow operation of motorized
skateboards on City right of ways.
Although the ban encompasses ALL play vehicles, in actuality, motorized skateboards are
the only change; ALL other play vehicles were prohibited by law from operating on
public thoroughfares. Retailers were simply not telling consumers about legal operation.
Violations of any part of this new ordinance, is a civil violation with
fines up to $2500. This does include retailers who fail to comply with
notification to consumers.
Residents of Westown have witnessed violaters and information has been given to the
Police. We urge all neighbors who see this taking place to call Crime Stop at 602-262-
6151 and report this crime.
In order to operate any vehicle on the streets of Phoenix , the driver must be a licensed
driver and the vehicle must have current registration and license plates as well as current
insurance. Unless a vehicle meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Standards, registration for
legal use on roadways is not available.
If you have questions, please contact the Traffic Education and Safety Unit 602-534-
SPEED (7733) .