Keeping scooters off paths creates another dilemma.

Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard

If Eugene is going to ban motorized scooters from its bike paths, it should explore ways to make sure the vehicles still can be used elsewhere to help people commute to work, the City Council indicated Monday.

Bicyclists and other trail enthusiasts told the council that they support a proposed ban of engine-propelled scooters and other devices on the city's off-street bike paths.

Cyclist Sue Wolling said the problem with motorized scooters is not that they are driven too fast on the paths, or that they make too much noise, but "that they are motorized vehicles invading the space that has always been a haven for nonmotorized vehicles."

City staff developed the proposed ban last year after officials received 65 complaints about the use of engine-propelled scooters on bike paths, mostly along the Willamette River.

Increasingly popular among young people who like to buzz around the city or adults seeking inexpensive transportation, scooters look like skateboards with handlebars, have small rear-mounted engines and, in some cases, seats. Most of the complaints were about scooters with noisy gas engines.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit any motorized vehicle, including gas and electric-powered scooters, mopeds, skateboards and mini-motorcycles, from being used on the paths. The ban could lead to a $500 fine.

The scooters still could be used on streets posted with a speed limit of 25 miles an hour, or in bike lanes.

Councilors are scheduled to vote on the ban on Feb. 28.

The City Council seems interested in removing the vehicles from the bike paths, but some councilors are concerned that the ban would prevent people who use the devices from using them to commute to work. While they still could ride scooters in on-street bike lanes, they would not be allowed to cross the Willamette River at the Ferry Street Bridge, for example.

Eugene Police Sgt. Derel Schulz, responding to a question from councilors, said scooter users would have to walk their vehicles across the bridge.

Councilors weren't pleased with the possibility of making it more difficult for people who use alternative forms of transportation. City officials should consider figuring out ways to plug the gaps with on-street bike lanes where scooters would still be allowed, City Councilor David Kelly said.

If the city enacts the bike path ban, city officials should "take a very specific look at where we are missing bike lanes," he said.

The proposed law also would require Eugene merchants who sell motorized scooters to tell purchasers of rules governing their use, including that operators must be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet and not exceed a speed of 15 mph.