A motorized scooter is a quick and nimble way to get around. And while its much heftier than a bicycle, it’s still a far cry from a motorcycle. But in D.C., scooters, like just about every other class of vehicle, are regulated. And one 64-year-old Georgetown scooter-owner has found herself repeatedly dragged into court for being in violation of D.C.’s obscure scooter rules.
NBC4 told the story yesterday of Ann Goodman, who in recent weeks has been arrested twice for not following the regulations that come with her scooter ownership. The first incident happened when she was cited for not wearing a helmet, she told NBC4:
“Right after you get out of church and you’re going to get a bottle of milk at the Safeway and then you end up in jail.”
Scooter owners are also required to have motorcycle licenses. Goodman didn’t have one of those either.
Unlike its neighbors, where scooters are not required to be registered or operated only with a motorcycle license, the District regulates the vehicles intensely and somewhat obtusely to boot. Scooters are classified as motorcycles because of the the size of their wheels, even though few would put a Vespa on par with a Harley. Because of the designation, scooters are required to be registered and insured and their drivers required to have motorcycle licenses. It’s different in Virginia and Maryland, where scooters with engine displacements of 50 cubic centimeters or less drive around without license plates.
Hoping to avoid more troubles because she didn’t have a motorcycle license, Goodman next tried remove her scooter’s plates and pose as an out-of-District driver. No such luck. She was arrested again.
Both of Goodman’s cases were thrown out, but NBC4 took her story to Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), who chairs the D.C. Council’s Environment, Public Works and Transportation Committee. Cheh agreed that the scooter laws are arcane and could probably use some updating.
Until then, Goodman said she plans to keep her scooter in the garage.
Clarification: This article originally stated that Maryland and Virginia do not regulate motorized scooters. In fact, scooters in those states with engine displacement greater 50 cubic centimeters are subject to the same laws as motorcycles.
