Graham city council to consider prohibiting electronic scooters

The Graham City Council will consider an ordinance amendment this week that could prohibit use of an electronic scooters on public property.

The city council will consider a first reading of ordinance amendments Thursday, March 5 that would prohibit the use of motor-assisted scooters, or e-scooters, on public property by anyone other than those with disabilities.

Two sections of the code of ordinances are going to be considered for amendments during the meeting. One proposed amendment is under Section 24.13, or the use of roller skates, coasters, etc. on roadways. 

“No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk and when so crossing such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians,” the section states.

Additionally, the council will consider setting a public hearing for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 2 at the city council chambers at 608 Elm St. in Graham to receive public comments on the move to prohibit electronic scooters.

Graham Police Department and the city invited the community to an informational safety program regarding electronic scooters to promote local safe practice Wednesday, Jan. 21 at North Central Texas College.

The program was hosted by GPD Sergeant Pedro Marrufo and was designed to present current laws related to the Texas Transportation Code to parents and guardians as well as children.

“While the riders that are riding the electric scooters are anywhere between the ages of 10 and 16, by definition of the law they have to basically follow the rules of the road,” Marrufo said before the meeting.

While there were no formal demonstrations during the class, it informed parents and guardians of the safe practices to teach their children.

“As parents we’re also responsible. We buy this equipment for our children and we don’t just get to say, ‘Just go and roam the streets.’ We have to educate them,” Marrufo said.

The GPD sergeant said the department has seen an uptick in complaints from concerned citizens that do not want a child injured riding scooters in the area. 

“You still have to stop at stop signs. You have to use your signals to indicate that you’re turning to communicate with other traffic on the roadway. ...We use hand and arm signals like back in the day when I was growing up,” Marrufo said.

Along with safety while operating the scooter, the operator must also make sure they advise other motorists with the proper signals while making sure they are visible.

“It’s like a bicycle. A bike at night is supposed to be equipped with a red reflector to the rear and a white light attached to the bike and same thing with the scooter. It’s got to have a light and it’s got to have a reflector. It’s all for a reason,” Marrufo said.