Yep here it is
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/citycouncil/stories/MYSA021006.03B.Mini_motor_ban.1071cb88.html
Motorized scooters, pocket bikes banned
Web Posted: 02/10/2006 12:00 AM CST
Laura E. Jesse
Express-News Staff Writer
Putting the brakes on "toy" vehicles that have been zooming around some neighborhoods with greater frequency, the City Council approved an ordinance Thursday banning the motorized scooters, mini-motorbikes known as pocket bikes and neighborhood electric vehicles.
The new ordinance prohibits the use of such vehicles on streets, sidewalks and highways but allows them on private property.
Police Chief Albert Ortiz stressed that the ban does not apply to motorized wheelchairs used by people with disabilities.
"None of these will be mobility devices for the disabled," Ortiz said. "(Wheelchair users) are pedestrians and enjoy all the rights and privileges of pedestrians, including operating on a sidewalk."
Councilman Chip Haass said he sought the ordinance after city leaders from the East and West coasts spoke about the problem of pocket bikes at a recent conference.
"I thought, 'What on earth are you talking about?' I never heard of these things," Haass said, adding that he wanted the council to address the problem before a tragedy occurs.
Last year in San Antonio, 11 accidents with 12 injuries involved pocket bikes, with nine of those injured requiring treatment in a hospital.
Ortiz said patrol officers have become aware of the bikes' prevalence in some neighborhoods, but without a new law they couldn't do anything about them.
"Officers will now have an enforcement tool," he said.
The ordinance, which establishes a fine of up to $500 per violation, defines a motor-assisted scooter as a self-propelled device with at least two wheels in contact with the ground, a braking system, a gas or electric motor not exceeding 40 cubic centimeters, a deck allowing a person to stand or sit on the device and the ability to be propelled by human power alone.
Mini-motorbikes have an electric motor or internal combustion engine of less than 50 cubic centimeters and are typically 15 to 18 inches high. They are not considered mopeds or motorcycles.
Neighborhood electric vehicles look like a cross between a small car and a golf cart, but they typically have a top speed of 25 miles per hour. These vehicles are less common than the pocket bikes or scooters, Ortiz said.
The ordinance will still allow golf carts to be operated in neighborhoods if the occupants are going straight to or from the golf course. Scooters can be used in city parks on bike paths or trails with a sign that states they are allowed.
Children under age 15 must wear a helmet and be accompanied by an adult while operating any of the vehicles.
Nationally, between July 2003 and June 2004, children under age 15 made up two-thirds of emergency room visits from accidents involving scooters, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. During the same period, there were 10,015 emergency room visits because of motorized scooters.
The ordinance does not ban the use of the two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation device known as the Segway.
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