HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Assisted Mobility Devices on SidewalksAgenda Item No: 15
Meeting Date: March 3, 2003
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Public Works
Prepared by: City Manager Approval:
Director of Public Works (NM)
File No.:
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE AMENDING SRMC SECTION 1.08.020 TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES, AND AMENDING SRMC
CHAPTER 5.34 TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF SUCH DEVICES UPON DESIGNATED
SIDEWALKS AND IN OTHER DESIGNATED PUBLIC PLACES
RECOMMENDATION: Pass the proposed Ordinance to print.
BACKGROUND:
In 1984 the San Rafael City Council adopted Ordinance # 1475 prohibiting skateboards, roller skates and
bicycles in certain areas, as described in Chapter 5.34 of the San Rafael Municipal Code. With new
technology and new personal mobility devices on the market, the California Senate approved Senate Bill
#1918 in September, 2002 to regulate Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devises (EPAMD) by adding
Section 313 to California Vehicle Code and amended Section 407.5 of the Vehicle Code to regulate these
devices. This bill will be in effect on March 1, 2003. A new Vehicle Code Section 21282 requires that the
cities and counties, by Ordinance, regulate the time, place and manner of operation of electric personal
assistive devices, as defined in Section 313, and their use as a pedestrian pursuant to paragraph (2) of
subdivision (a) of Section 467, including (1) limiting, or (2) prohibiting entirely in the local jurisdiction, or
(3) prohibiting use in specified areas as determined to be appropriate by local entities.
Staff recommends that such devices be prohibited on the City sidewalks and areas that have been
determined to be of safety concern and be regulated in the same manner as Ordinance #1475 by posting
appropriate signs. Staff has determined that the City sidewalks are not wide enough to allow such
devices with a speed of 12.5 MPH to operate safely among pedestrians.
If the City Council adopts the proposed Ordinance, staff will return to the City Council with a proposed
Resolution to designate those sidewalks and other public places where the operation of the EPAMD's
would be prohibited
OPTIONS: 1) Pass the proposed Ordinance to print.
2) Take no action on the proposed Ordinance
3) Direct Staff to make changes to the proposed Ordinance and to come back to the City
council for consideration of an amended Ordinance at a later date.
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.• 11-7 X 17 `3 -Vo
Council Meeting: — 31303
-"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
Disposition: OF SAH RAFAEL AMENDING SECTION 1.01.1120 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICHRAL CODE TO
ADD A DEFINITION FOR ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES, AND
AMENDING CHAPTER .]4 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBETTHE USE
OF SUCH DEVICES ON DESIGNATED SIDEWALKS AND IN OTHER DESIGNATED PUBLIC
PLACES"
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT 1 Page: 2
ACTION REQUIRED: Pass the proposed Ordinance to print.
Enclosures: (2)
(1) Notice of Public Hearing
(2) Ordinance