Scooter hazard not the only one
The motorists who drive cars, trucks and motorcycles on Spokane’s streets have their hands full looking out for potholes and each other.
Of late, though, they’ve had the additional distraction and nuisance of a growing number of motorized scooters buzzing around them like yellowjackets.
An incident this week, albeit in Spokane Valley, illustrated the obvious stakes that are involved when cars and scooters share the same roadways – especially scooters operated by inexperienced and unlicensed users. A 12-year-old was hospitalized after colliding with a motor vehicle.
The best of laws won’t prevent such accidents, but they can limit mishaps if properly drafted and adequately enforced. Spokane city officials, therefore, are smart to consider bringing their traffic ordinances up to date. They are studying a law that would limit where and how motorized scooters can be used and require that operators be at least 16. One critical proposal is to prohibit the scooters on downtown’s congested streets
The city is serious. Violators would face a $250 fine, plus court costs. If authorities back such an ordinance up with enforcement, a stiff penalty should get the public’s attention.
Which raises another question, about bicycles.
Bicyclists who ride on downtown Spokane streets are the same as motor vehicle operators under the law. They’re entitled to the same rights, but they’re obliged to follow the same rules. And in the congested downtown retail area, they’re forbidden to ride on sidewalks where they can make pedestrians’ lives nerve-wracking.
Bicyclists who venture onto sidewalks in spite of the law risk an $81 fine, but from the frequency with which sidewalk cycling occurs, the word must not be out. The same can be said for the flagrancy with which many bicycle riders violate fundamental traffic laws – running stop signs and red lights, going the wrong way, zipping back and forth between sidewalk and street.
City Prosecutor Howard Delaney says his office handles bicycle-related infractions “reasonably frequently,” yet from what can be seen downtown any day, the level of enforcement hasn’t had much deterrent effect.
The idea shouldn’t be to discourage bicycle use downtown. Bike riders lessen the congestion and they’re both cleaner and quieter. But those who take a casual view of traffic laws create hazards that outweigh whatever environmental contribution they make.
We’re mindful that police officers take an undeserved beating when they enforce laws that indignant violators consider trivial. The cops are supposed to be out arresting robbers, after all.
But the streets need to be safe and orderly, and the dizzying mix of motor vehicles, scooters, bicycles, skateboards and in-line skates creates risks that must be brought under control.
Authorities need to adopt a reasonable set of laws that they’re willing to enforce fairly, firmly and consistently.