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Council approves personal‑transport ordinance with child‑helmet rule and 15 mph limit on shared paths
Summary
The Anacortes City Council unanimously adopted ordinance 5032 replacing the motorized scooter chapter with rules for personal transportation devices, including a 15 mph speed cap on shared‑use paths and a required helmet for children; council emphasized education and rollout before enforcement.
The Anacortes City Council voted 7‑0 on July 27 to adopt ordinance 5032, replacing AMC 10.38 (motorized scooters) with a new chapter regulating personal transportation devices. The ordinance sets a 15 miles‑per‑hour speed limit for motorized devices on shared‑use paths (with different rules applying on city streets) and includes a requirement that children wear helmets.
Chief Floyd presented the ordinance amendments at the council’s second reading, explaining updates to applicability and definitions and noting the city used RCW references in definitions. Council members repeatedly urged education and outreach before enforcement. "Positive reinforcement" programs and school partnerships were discussed as tools to increase compliance, and council members said the police department would support a signage and social‑media campaign tied to the ordinance rollout.
Several public commenters raised safety concerns on trails and at mixed‑use corridors. Pat Gardner, speaking during the e‑bike item, called for age‑appropriate training and volunteer support during community events. Mark Neihart (Ward 2) warned about mixed uses on narrow trails such as the Tommy Thompson and Guaymas Channel trails and said the city should plan for commuter uses and senior walkers.
Council member Hunt framed the ordinance as behavior‑focused rather than technology‑specific and urged a strong outreach effort. She made a personal appeal for helmets: "When my bike hit a vehicle and my head hit the asphalt, my helmet cracked open, and my skull did not," she said, urging the council to protect children and vulnerable users.
The council’s roll call recorded unanimous support. After the vote the mayor and staff emphasized implementation: developing clear signage, simple public guidance distinguishing shared‑use path rules from city‑street limits, and an education campaign to precede active enforcement.
What happens next: staff will lead outreach (schools, police bike patrols, signage) and return to council if technical clarifications or modifications to the ordinance are needed as the city implements the new rules.
