VIENNA, W.Va. (WTAP) – Vienna City Council began discussions regarding the use of modified e-scooters by children 14 and younger through town.
During their meeting on Oct. 9, Vienna City Council introduced the e-scooter ordinance.
The ordinance is written to address the use of modified e-devices such as e-scooters by children 14 and younger.
The ordinance builds off of West Virginia state code 17C-11-8 which talks about the use of e-bikes, but does not address smaller e-devices.
Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick believes it is important to take measures to keep kids safe.
“So, one of the things that we try to do is safeguard our city residents from the kiddos age all the way up so that our streets and our sidewalks are all safe. And this is just one step that we can also take and educate and inform kiddos on how they’re supposed to operate these things within safe parameters while having a standard that we can hold individuals to,” said Emrick.
The e-devices being addressed in the ordinance have a modified electric or gas motor that allows the device to exceed speeds of 19 miles per hour.
Children aged 14 and younger must have parental supervision while using these devices.
Exceptions to the ordinance are unmodified e-scooters that do not exceed 19 miles per hour.
Mayor Emrick said the ordinance has not gone into effect and City Council will continue discussing and amending it.
“This is how the process works. We have a first reading and that gives our community the opportunity to be able to hear what we’re doing and what we’re considering. We take time then to listen to the community and then we can apply that through the amendment process to that ordinance, make recommendations, then get a product that is finished, that works for everybody, that’s safe and fair and provides for our community,” said Emrick.
The next City Council meeting is on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers, which is located at 609 29th St.
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