The following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
Customer.
A person who rents and uses a motor-assisted scooter (“scooter”) from a scooter operator.
Geo-fence zone.
A zone defined by GPS or RFID that registers when a mobile device like a scooter enters or leaves that zone.
Public right-of-way or right-of-way.
A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription, deed or condemnation and intended to use by the public as a street, alley, or other public way.
Scooter operator or operator.
A corporation, firm, joint venture, limited liability company, partnership, person, or other organized entity that operates a scooter share system, whether for profit or not for profit.
Scooter share system.
A system which provides scooters for short-term rentals for point-to-point trips and which may be locked and unlocked without the requirement of a scooter rack or other docking station within the city.
(a) 
All scooters made available by an operator and used in the city by any person shall meet the standards outlined in this article.
(b) 
All scooters shall meet the Texas Transportation Code requirement for lights during nighttime operation.
(c) 
All operators shall maintain a 24-hour customer service phone number to report safety concerns, complaints or questions; scooters shall be made unavailable in the event of report of a safety or maintenance issue, until the issue is resolved.
(d) 
All scooter users must abide by the following regulations:
(1) 
Riders must obey all applicable laws, ordinances and traffic signs, including stop signs and stop lights. Except on private property (e. g. SMU Main Campus), scooters may be operated only in the public right-of-way locations authorized by section 12.01.011 of this code;
(2) 
Helmets are encouraged for all users;
(3) 
Riders must stay to the right when riding scooters on all roadways, pathways, and sidewalks; and
(4) 
Riders must park scooters upright on hard surfaces:
(A) 
In any designated scooter parking area;
(B) 
Beside a bicycle rack or in another area specifically designated for bicycle parking, but not in a manner that will impede or interfere with the reasonable use of any bicycle rack, pedestrian area, vehicular area, traffic area or access to or from a building; or
(C) 
In other areas out of the public right-of-way with permission of the owner.
(e) 
The city is not responsible for educating users regarding scooter laws. Neither is the city responsible for educating users on how to ride or operate a scooter. Operators should educate users regarding laws applicable to riding and operating a scooter in the city and instruct users to comply with applicable laws.
(f) 
Every scooter will be equipped with geofence ability (global positioning system (“GPS”) technology). Every operator will draw a geofence in accordance with the parameters of section 12.01.011 of this code.
(g) 
Operators will limit the speed of scooters to not more than 10 miles per hour. Operators will offer riders an opportunity to obtain a helmet for use while riding a scooter.
(Ordinance 18/049 adopted 12/18/18)