MARLBOROUGH – If you own and operate a motorized scooter or bicycle in the city, the Marlborough Police Department has some advice.
Follow the rules and regulations, or risk getting fined.
The department said it has received numerous complaints about motorized scooters (including pocket bikes and mini-motorcycles) and motorized bicycles operating erratically and on the sidewalk.
According to the city’s code, these scooters and bicycles:
- Are not to be operated by a person under 16 years of age.
- Are not to be operated in excess of 20 mph.
- Operators must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit.
- Operators shall have a right of way to use all public ways in the city, except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles or scooters have been posted and shall be subject to all traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth and/or the city.
- Operators may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle moving in the travel lane of the way.
- Operators shall signal by either hand the intention to stop or turn.
- A motorized bicycle or scooter may be operated on bicycle lanes adjacent to the various ways but shall be excluded from off-street recreational bicycle paths.
- Operators must wear a proper helmet or other headgear.
- No person shall operate a motorized bicycle or motorized scooter during the hours of darkness (before sunrise or after sunset).
- Motorized bicycles and scooters shall comply with all applicable federal vehicle safety standards.
A person convicted of a violation shall be punished by a noncriminal fine, as provided for within the city’s code, of not more than $25 for the first offense; not less than $25 nor more than $50 for the second offense; and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for subsequent offenses committed.
The department said, “We will be taking enforcement action if you are operating a motorized scooter or motorized bicycle outside of the restrictions.”
For more information, visit http://www.mass.gov/rmv/alerts/scooter.htm
