[Electric personal assistive mobility devices]

Ordinance amending the San Francisco Traffic Code by banning the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices on all sidewalks in the City and County of San Francisco and in public transit stations and public transit vehicles.

Note: Additions are single-underline italics Times New Roman;
deletions are strikethrough italics Times New Roman.

Board amendment additions are double underlined.

Board amendment deletions are strikethrough normal.

Be it ordained by the People of the City and County of San Francisco:

Section 1. Article 5 of the San Francisco Traffic Code is hereby amended by adding Section 104, to read as follows:

SEC. 104. ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES.

(a) It shall be unlawful to operate an electric personal assistive mobility device on any sidewalk in the City and County of San Francisco.

(b) "Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device" means a self-balancing, nontandem two-wheeled device, that can turn in place and is designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system averaging less than 750 watts (one horsepower).

(c) Any person who violates Section 104 shall be guilty of an infraction and, upon the conviction thereof, shall be punished for the first offense by a warning or a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100; and for a second offense and each additional offense by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500.

Section 2. Article 6 of the San Francisco Traffic Code is hereby amended by amending Section 128, to read as follows:

SEC. 128. PASSENGER CONDUCT REGULATIONS.

It shall be unlawful for any passenger or other person in or about any public transit station (including an outdoor high-level boarding platform), streetcar, cable car, motor coach, trolley coach or other public transit vehicle, including, but not limited to, those stations or vehicles operated by the Bay Area Rapid Transit District:

(a) To knowingly provide false identification to a peace officer, fare inspector or other representative of the transit system when engaged in the enforcement of this ordinance or other City or State laws regarding fare collection, fare evasion, passenger conduct or proof of payment;

(b) To interfere with the turnstile or fare register;

(c) To meddle with the trolley pole or rope attached thereto;

(d) To meddle with tracks, switches, turnouts, or any other transit system structures or facilities;

(e) To enter upon the roadbed, tracks, structures or other portions of transit system property or facilities not open to passengers or the public;

(f) To carry any explosive or acid, flammable liquid, or toxic or hazardous material;

(g) To urinate or defecate in any public transit vehicle or facility, except in a lavatory. However, this paragraph shall not apply to any person who cannot comply with this paragraph as a result of a disability, age or a medical condition;

(h) In any manner to obstruct any person or persons in charge of any transit station or facility, streetcar, cable car, bus, trolley coach or public transit vehicle, in the performance of such person's duties, or otherwise interfere with the operation thereof;

(i) To sound any bell or other warning device, without authorization;

(j) To play sound equipment on any transit vehicle;

(k) To smoke, eat or drink;

(l) To expectorate;

(m) To wilfully disturb others by engaging in boisterous or unruly behavior;

(n) To board or alight while the transit vehicle is in motion;

(o) To ride roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, toy vehicles, coasters or similar devices.

(p) To operate electric personal assistive mobility devices in any public transit station or public transit vehicle.

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

DENNIS J. HERRERA, City Attorney

By:

Edward A. Olsen

Deputy City Attorney