Hawarden, Iowa — Hawarden has passed new ordinances in response to safety concerns about electric scooters.
The new rules that will take effect are as follows:
- Riders must obey all traffic laws, just like motorists.
- Only one rider is allowed per scooter.
- Riders must keep both hands on the scooter while it is moving.
- Certain streets will be off-limits, including 10th Street, 23rd Street, and Avenue E.
- No speeding, zigzagging, or performing stunts is allowed.
- A maximum of two scooters may ride side by side.
- Riders must yield to pedestrians.
- Riders must not impede the flow of traffic.
- Brakes are required on all scooters.
- Lamps must be used between sunset and sunrise.
The Hawarden police chief informed KCAU of an increase in reckless driving incidents involving scooters.
“They weren’t necessarily obeying all of the traffic laws,” said Hawarden Police Chief Brian DePriest. “Riding double, weaving in and out of traffic, things that are sure are a lot of fun, but cause some concern for motorists and other pedestrians on the road.”
DePriest also stated that the ordinance had been in effect for nearly a week.
“So, since we launched it, I believe I’ve seen fewer scooters. “I’m hearing fewer near misses, which is encouraging,” DePriest said. “But only time is going to tell on that.”
Violations of the ordinance can result in your scooter being impounded for up to thirty days.
