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Memorandum Austin Police Department
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M E M O R A N D U M
Austin Police Department Office of the Chief
TO: All Commanders FROM: Cathy Ellison, Assistant Chief DATE: August 24, 2003 SUBJECT: Electric Bicycles/Scooters in Bicycle Lanes
It has come to our attention that officers may be issuing warnings and/or citations to persons operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle in a bicycle lane. The City Code allows the following types of vehicles to operate in a bicycle lane: a bicycle, a scooter, or other similar vehicle that is equipped with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle, scooter, or vehicle at a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.
The city code section that applies is Section 16-1-13
"§ 16-1-13 DRIVING VEHICLES UPON, IN OR ACROSS BICYCLE LANES.
(A) A person may not drive a motor-propelled vehicle in, upon, or across a bicycle lane, except to enter a driveway, building, or alley, or to park the vehicle, or to leave a parking space.
(B) Subsection (A) does not apply to a bicycle, a scooter, or other similar vehicle that is equipped with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle, scooter, or vehicle at a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.
(C) A person may not drive onto or cross a bicycle lane as permitted by this section without first yielding the right-of way, if necessary, to avoid collision or interference with bicycle traffic."
Please forward this information to the supervisors in you area so patrol officers are aware that these vehicles may use the bicycle lanes. |
