LeClaire considers scooter laws

By Mary Louise Speer | Friday, June 01, 2007

LeClaire city officials gnarled through definitions of what constitutes a scooter during a discussion of motorized vehicles used by individuals with mobility challenges. That discussion was part of Monday night’s committee-of-the-whole meeting.

“This takes care of my legs, this scooter does,” said resident Chester Morris.

Morris also drives a car, but riding his three-wheeler gives him access to downtown and other areas of the city without having to worry about parking. Part of his route is on a stretch on road that does not have a sidewalk.

The city must be careful in updating current ordinances, Police Chief James Pfeiffer said.

“Our city ordinance cannot be more stringent than state or federal code,” he said.

State code refers to these vehicles as “electric personal assistive mobility devices” as opposed to the word “scooter,” that could mean two-wheelers used by young people for fun.

Council member Mary Farmer wants to make sure the vehicles are visible.

In other news, council members heard a proposal for a Nov. 2007 election referendum. Part of that involves the question of a special library support levy to generate funds for the LeClaire Community Library.

The library is not asking for the support levy at this time, Director Wanda Gardner said.