New York Lawmakers Push For Regulations On Motorized Scooters

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two New York lawmakers from Queens have introduced bills to regulate motorized bicycles used commercially with safety and insurance requirements.

Sen. Jose Peralta and Assembly member Aravella Simotas are pushing for the Department of Motor Vehicles to maintain a registry, establish safety regulations, and set minimum liability insurance coverage.

Under the bills, drivers would have to register them with the DMV and traffic infractions would be punishable by fines of $25 to $100.

The scooters, according to the lawmakers, have become part of the fabric of small businesses making deliveries throughout New York City. They said attempts to ban them haven't worked, and accidents can create big liability issues.

Simotas said she's heard from too many people about near misses and being hit by riders.

Peralta told 1010 WINS the City Council banned delivery scooters in 2004, but since then the number of scooters has actually increased.

"Right now, what we have is kind of like the wild wild west, where we were hoping that the ban would work, but it didn't work," he said. "So if they're out there anyway, this legislation will just help regulate these scooters on the street."

Peralta said if passed, there would be a new category of scooters and it will lead to scooters being insured and the driver having a driver's license.

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