STAR-BULLETIN / 2002
Kaleo Kam, left, and Billy Streibel get ready to take off on a pair of motorized scooters in Moiliili. Under new rules established this year, anyone caught riding motorized scooters on public streets and sidewalks will be fined $40.
Fines are
established for
motor scooter useThe state also creates
a $65 fine for anyone
speeding on Segways
People caught riding motorized scooters on public streets and sidewalks will be fined $40, while those who speed or are underage while riding a high-tech Segway could face a $65 fine.
The fine amounts were established by the state Judiciary this week. Before then, police were warning rather than citing violators.
"The laws are in effect now," and anyone violating them is subject to citation and fine, said Sgt. Robert Lung, Honolulu Police Department Traffic Division.
The fines increase to $65 for scooters and $90 for the Segway if not paid within 15 days.
The city ordinance prohibits the use of scooters powered by gasoline-burning, internal combustion motors on public streets and sidewalks. The ban does not apply to scooters that have seats to allow for seated riding.
"That's something we have to go back into and change," Lung said.
State law allows for the use of the Segways, high-tech, battery-powered scooters that sell for $5,000. The wheels are side by side rather than in tandem. Segways are defined in the law as electric personal assistive mobility devices. They can be ridden on sidewalks and bicycle paths at speeds no greater than 8 mph. Operators need to be at least 16 years old.
Business has not been the same since Mayor Jeremy Harris signed the scooter ban into law June 19, said Albert Young, owner of Scooter Alley at 2131 S. Beretania St. He sells motorized scooters only occasionally, "not like before," Young said.
And he said he has not been selling many seats to riders who want to get around the ban.
"It (the ban) is discouraging the use of scooters, but at least it gives the paperboys some leeway," Young said.
Ibang Chong Gum's children deliver newspapers in Palolo by motorized scooters. He said three of the five scooters his children use have seats, and he intends to install seats on the other two.
There is no ban on scooters powered by electric motors. The Sharper Image in Ala Moana Center sells two models both designed for children, said Mary Gregory, store manager. One model sells for $200, has a weight limit of 150 pounds and can travel up to 8 mph. The other model, which sells for $370, has a weight limit of 200 pounds and can travel up to 12 mph. Both have hard urethane wheels.
"We sell the scooters very well, probably about five per week, 20 per month," Gregory said.
She said sales have been steady since the store started selling the electric scooters about five years ago, and did not experience a jump when the ban on gasoline-powered scooters took effect.
More information on the city and state scooter laws can be found on the Honolulu Police Department's Web site at www.honolulupd.org.
