Town of Wethersfield, CT Motor Scooters, Minibikes, Pocket Bikes and Bicycles With Helper Motor

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

MOTOR SCOOTERS, MINIBIKES, POCKET BIKES and BICYCLES WITH A HELPER MOTOR

Any wheeled device designed for the transport of one or more persons which is powered by any type of motor, except:

Any "motorcycle" or "motorized bicycle" as defined in state statute;

Any vehicle registered as a motor vehicle by the registrar of motor vehicles or lawfully exempt from such registration;

Any wheelchair by a person with physical disabilities or any similar mobility-assisting device used or by a person whose ambulatory mobility has been impaired by age, illness or physical ailment or electric personal assistive mobility devices;

Any self-propelled snowplows, snow blowers and lawn mowers when used for the purposes for which they were designed and operated at speeds not exceeding four miles per hour;

Any bicycle with a helper motor or scooter which meets Federal Department of Transportation and State Department of Transportation guidelines for on-road transportation and whose owner's manual specifically indicates an ability to be driven on public roads;

Any vehicle owned or leased by the Town of Wethersfield.

§ 157-19 Enforcement.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these ordinances, any person who operates any motor scooter, minibike, pocket bike or bicycle with a helper motor on any portion of any public or private street shown on the Official Map of the Town, including the sidewalk area of any such street, or any other public property, including schools, playgrounds and parks, within the Town of Wethersfield, shall be fined $90.

Any person who rides as a passenger on any motor scooter operated in violation of the above shall be fined $50.

Whenever any police officer observes any person in violation of this article, he or she may detain such person for purposes of the enforcement of this section and may remove such motor scooter to a secure area pending a disposition of such property by court order or otherwise by law.

§ 157-20 Hearing.

Any person who receives a citation under this article may request a hearing.

The Town Manager will designate a hearing officer in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-152c.

Any cited person who wishes to admit liability for any alleged violation may, without requesting a hearing, pay the full amount of the fines, penalties, costs or fees admitted to in person or by mail to the Town Manager. Such payment shall be inadmissible in any proceeding, civil or criminal, to establish the conduct of such person or other person making the payment. Any person who does not deliver or mail written demand for a hearing within 10 days of the date of citation shall be deemed to have admitted liability, and the Town Manager shall certify such person's failure to respond to the hearing officer. The hearing officer shall thereupon enter and assess the fines, penalties, costs or fees provided for by the applicable ordinances and shall follow the procedures set forth in Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-152c(f).

Any person who requests a hearing shall be given written notice of the date, time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be held not less than 15 days nor more than 30 days from the date of the mailing of notice. The hearing officer may grant a postponement or continuance for good cause. An original or certified copy of the initial notice of violation issued by the issuing official or policeman shall be filed and retained by the Town Manager.