MY TOWN motorized wheelchairs and scooters

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY TERRY PAKENHAM POSTED WITH PERMISSION: (Originally published in the Vernon Daily Courier)

As I mentioned in last week’s article operators of motorized wheelchairs and scooters are to be treated as pedestrians and have the responsibility of complying with all the rules associated to pedestrians.The other categories of transportation that have recently gained much popularity are motor assisted cycles and limited speed motorcycles. A motor assisted cycle is a cycle, either two or three wheels, that has a seat, pedals and electric motor. They do not require registration, license plates, insurance or a driver’s license for the operator. The operator must be 16 years of age or older, must wear a bicycle helmet, and must operate the cycle on the roadway. The motor must be electric with a rating of 500 watts or less and cannot propel the cycle at a speed greater than 32km/hr. on level ground. The regulations governing their operation are the same as that for bicycles and rules of the road are exactly the same. The next grouping is commonly referred to as limited speed motorcycles and would include the “pocket” bikes or miniature motorcycles and scooters. A limited speed motorcycle is defined as having no more than a 50cc displacement or 1.5kw motor rating, does not require the use of a clutch or a gear shift, it has a maximum speed of 70km/h on level ground, it weighs no more that 95kg, and the wheels are more than 25.4cm in diameter. The regulations dictate that the operator must have the limited speed motorcycle registered and insured and that the driver must possess a valid driver’s license of any class. At this time the use of motorized skateboards and the human transporter, referred to as the Segway, is not allowed on any sidewalks adjacent to roadways nor on any public roads in the Province of BC. Regardless of whether you are operating a limited speed motorcycle, a motor assisted cycle, or a motorized wheelchair or are sharing the use of our local sidewalks, streets, or avenues we must all understand that common courtesy and obeying the rules of the road will go a long way in preventing problems with the various user groups.If you have any particular concerns or questions you feel would make an interesting article please make contact with me, Terry Pakenham, at my fax line 260-5866, or my direct office line at 260-5276.
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Scooter In Hit & Run by Wayne Moore - Story: 20718July 29, 2006 / 9:57 am http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-20718-1-.htm#20718
Kelowna RCMP are on the lookout for the driver of an older model white Honda following a hit and run Saturday morning at Pandosy and Queensway. Witnesses say the vehicle with a lone male inside cut the corner while attempting a right turn onto Pandosy. He clipped a motorized scooter that was already well into the intersection. An elderly male riding the scooter was transported to Kelowna General Hospital complaining of a sore arm. If you have any information, you're asked to contact Kelowna RCMP.