The answer to the above question is a big fat...YES! Scooters have been a major topic of discussion lately thanks to a huge increase in scooter related accidents. There has also been a renewed call to legislators about updating and in some cases, changing the laws with regard to scooters. A scooter is a motorized vehicle, pure and simple and the laws need to reflect that. At present, scooters are defined as having a cylinder capacity of 55 cc or less and a maximum flat surface speed of 25 mph. The reality is most scooters on the road today have a top speed of anywhere from 25 to 40 mph. A scooter operator is NOT required to have a license or even insurance. Riders do have to be at least 15 years of age with either a valid driver's license or state issued ID card.

Many people believe that scooters are no different or any more dangerous than bicycles, which is completely ridiculous. Again, a scooter is a motorized vehicle that operates primarily within the flow of road traffic, which bicycles and pedestrians do not. To be able to operate any motor vehicle in traffic requires a certain skill set and a license says that you possess that particular skill set.

Scooters travel at a much higher rate of of speed than a bicycle, which means your reaction time lessens with every increased mph. You can't drive a car or motorcycle in traffic without a license or insurance so, why should a scooter be treated any different?

This is almost a no-brainer. There are young teenagers riding these things in traffic without any regard for anybody's safety including their own. Sometimes they are even riding double on a single scooter.

Bottom line, scooters need to be registered like any other motorized, street-legal vehicle and the operators need to be licensed and insured. Will this prevent accidents and mishaps from happening? No, but something has to be done before this gets out of control. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

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