Scooter Parking at Beach Stops and Golf Cart Reminders
Scooter Parking at Beach Stops and Golf Cart Reminders
While scooters/mopeds and golf carts provide a nice alternative means of transportation within the Town, the previously existing ordinances provide guidance on what is and isn't permissible.
Regarding scooters/mopeds, there is information below linking to the Indiana BMV, which covers the proper registration that may be required as well as how and who can operate them. Because they are considered vehicles, they are only permitted to be parked in a designated parking space within the Town. Beach Stops, parks and within 8 feet of fire hydrants, for example, are not designed parking spaces for scooter/mopeds. The same applies to golf carts, including if they are "street legal".
Regarding golf carts, they are only allowed on roadway with a Long Beach Country Club trail sticker, a licensed driver must be operating the cart and they are only to be used for purposes of going to and from the Golf Course to play golf. If the cart is "street legal" it is treated as a vehicle and does not have the same restrictions as a "non-street legal" cart. The Town is considering amendments to this existing ordinance, which would allow for broader potential use throughout the Town roadways.
Scooters and mopeds do not take up much space at beach stops, but they have been problematic at certain stops where multiple scooters/mopeds are parked - blocking pathways to get to/from the stairs, taking up bicycle rack spaces, being parked on ground cover that is being restored, etc. In some cases, they have been left and parked in areas meant for 10-minute unloading, which causes unsafe loading/unloading for other vehicles along the roadway. The fewer and more crowded beach stops have also increased the challenges, especially on weekends.
Additional information can be found below.
Indiana BMV information about mopeds and scooters (referred to as "motor driven cycles"):
https://www.in.gov/bmv/4203.htm
Existing Long Beach Indiana Ordinances Regarding Parking:
§ 71.09 VEHICLES ON TOWN PROPERTY.
(A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon any public park, playground or any other property owned by the town, other than dedicated public roads, alleys or areas specifically designated for parking.
(B) The appropriate town officials shall give notice of the prohibition of operation of motor vehicles in areas prohibited by division (A) by posting signs as determined to be needed by the appropriate officials.
(C) The prohibition set forth in division (A) shall not apply to the lawful operation of police, fire, ambulance and/or other emergency or maintenance vehicles by the appropriate operators of such vehicles in their performance of their respective official duties.
§ 72.03 LIMITATIONS OF STOPPING AND PARKING.
It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to stop or park such vehicle except in a case of real emergency or in compliance with the provisions of this traffic code or when directed by a police officer or traffic sign or signal at any time in the following places:
(A) On where vehicles stand in any manner other than as specified in § 72.02.
(B) Within an intersection.
(C) On a sidewalk.
(D) Within four feet of a public or private driveway.
(E) Within eight feet of a fire hydrant.
(F) Within a crosswalk.
(G) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping or parking would obstruct traffic.
(H) On that portion of public property located between the sidewalk and the curbline of the street.
(I) No vehicle or vehicle trailer combination of greater than 22 feet shall be parked in the public way (this includes the roadway and the town right-of-way).
§ 72.11 PARKING IN PARKS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park any motor vehicle in or on any section of any public park, playground, play lot, or tot lot within the municipality not designed as a parking area. The chief police officer may authorize parking on town approved festival days and special occasions.
Thank you,
The Town of Long Beach Council and Clerk Treasurer Office