BURBANK P.D. TELLS CITY IT CAN'T MUFFLE SCOOTERS.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

BURBANK - Burbank police can't do much to regulate the nuisance of increasingly popular but noisy motorized scooters, officials said Wednesday, a day after the City Council asked for the department's help.

Lt. Chris Welker of the Burbank Police Department's Traffic Division said the city has a noise ordinance that deals with gas-powered engines but is unsure whether the scooters are loud enough to qualify.

``(Their noise) isn't overwhelming,'' she said, adding that one was turned on during the council meeting late Tuesday night. ``It's an annoying sound rather than a loud sound and I don't think you can regulate it just because it's annoying.''

The council took up the discussion about motorized and nonmotorized scooters at its meeting in response to the surge of popularity the skateboard-like two-wheelers are enjoying now and concerns that have been raised about safety and noise.

The panel discussed new state codes that require riders of motorized scooters to be 16 and wear a helmet. They must obey all the basic rules of the road and cannot ride on the sidewalks or in an area with a posted speed limit of more than 25 miles per hour.

In Burbank, court officials said four citations have been written this year for riders without helmets, and underage riders have been another concern. Also, residents on Lamer Street in Burbank circulated a petition calling for motorized scooters to be banned after 8 p.m. so they don't disturb sleeping children.

One option for riders looking for a quieter alternative is electric Go Peds, which look very exactly like gas scooters with a wide wooden base, handlebars and hand brakes, retailers said.

``Those go only about 17 miles per hour, where a gas-powered vehicle goes from 20 to 22 miles per hour depending on your weight,'' said Carol Wagner of Gismo's Hobbies in Burbank, which sells both.