Title
Resolved: That it is the sense of the Malden City Council that the body wishes to work in conjunction with community partners to draft ordinances, rules, policies and educational programs to ensure the safe and responsible use of micromobility devices.
Body
Whereas: The City of Malden currently has long-standing ordinances that:
(1) prohibit motorized scooters, motorized bicycles and any other motorized vehicle not otherwise regulated by law from being operated on any public way, park, playground, school ground, city cemetery or property under the control of the City of Malden (MCC 10.08.070 PROHIBITIONS ON USE OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES) and;
(2) limits the use of motorized devices on multi-use trails such as the Northern Strand Trail to Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles and electric scooters with a top-speed of 15 mile per hour or less (MCC 11.12.010 REGULATION OF MULTI-USE TRAILS).
Whereas: The City of Malden lacks specific ordinances or traffic rules regulating the use of bicycles and powered micromobility devices on sidewalks;
Whereas: The Massachusetts General Court and Governor’s Office have been working on legislation that will create a new framework to regulate “Micromobility Devices” based on top speed and other factors (Senate Bill 3228);
Whereas: the increased number, speed and weight of powered micromobility devices pose greater risks of injury to both users and non-users alike; and
Whereas: the lack of rules, education and training programs for motorized micromobility devices result in dangerous operator behaviors such as ignoring basic traffic rules, failing to yield to vulnerable users such as walkers and regular bicyclists, speeding and “popping wheelies” particularly among younger operators who have not taken any motor vehicle licensing courses.
Therefore, the City Council resolves to work in conjunction with the following partners on community outreach helpful to draft ordinances, rules, policies and educational programs to ensure the safe and responsible use of micromobility devices:
1. the newly formed Malden Transportation Commission to develop draft rules and ordinances for micromobility devices in Malden consistent with the anticipated state legislation on micromobility devices,
2. Malden School Committee and the Public Facilities Department on policies and practices related to the types of micromobility devices that may be allowed on school property and how to safely and securely store them, and
3. Malden Police, Fire, and School Committee as well as regional and local organizations to develop education and safety programs to ensure safe operation, charging and storage of micromobility devices.
Be it further resolved that, any such ordinances, policies and practices shall ensure that wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, mobility scooters or other personal mobility devices which are used by individuals with disabilities are not restricted by any ordinances, policies, or practices pertaining to the regulation of motorized vehicles.