Westchester County police cracking down on mopeds, motorized scooters being used illegally

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A major crackdown on people illegally using mopeds and other motorized scooters is happening in Westchester County. It's an issue that law enforcement says they are seeing on sidewalks, park trails and the parkways. A new operation has started with officers from multiple different agencies working together to stop the illegal use of these motorized scooters. Earlier this week, dozens of scooters were impounded that were either not registered or not insured. "It's something new. It's just a matter of time if left unenforced and allowed to grow, I believe we could have had some accidents," says Chief James Luciano, with Westchester County Police. Police tell News 12 they are going to continue to monitor the lower end of the county where they are getting the most complaints. They're also trying focus on the education side of things for drivers behind these motorized scooters to obey the law. Police say motorized and battery-powered vehicles are prohibited from operating on these paved recreational paths, which are limited to use by bicyclists, joggers and walkers. It is also illegal to drive one on a sidewalk. They say during the enforcement initiative on Wednesday, officers were deployed on the South County Trailway and Bronx River Pathway, as well as at locations on adjacent streets where the pathways can be accessed. Officials say scooters and mopeds were impounded when their drivers were found to be operating without the required license, registration or insurance. Summonses were issued for these violations and other violations of vehicle and traffic law. “The use of unregistered and uninsured scooters and mopeds, driven by unlicensed or improperly licensed operators, poses unacceptable safety and quality-of-life issues, especially on sidewalks and bike paths,” Commissioner Terrance Raynor said. In coordination with the WCPD initiative, several other agencies conducted similar enforcement in a variety of other locations. These agencies include the Yonkers Police Department, New York State Police, Bronxville Police Department and the NYPD in the Bronx. Owners/operators of scooters and mopeds, which are designated legally as “limited use motorcycles,” are reminded of the following: -All limited-use motorcycles require valid registrations. -Operators must have proper licenses to operate on public roadways. -Mopeds and scooters are not permitted to operate on any sidewalks or bike paths. The only type of limited-use motorcycle permitted to operate on a parkway or in any lane of travel on a local street is a Class A limited use motorcycle (meaning it has a performance speed of at least 30 mph but not more than 40 mph). The operator of a Class A limited use motorcycle is required to have a motorcycle license, a valid registration and inspection, and insurance. Class B and C limited use motorcycles are not permitted to operate on parkways. Drivers do not need a motorcycle license specifically but must have a valid driver’s license of any class. Class B vehicles (max performance speed of 30 mph) and Class C vehicles (max speed performance of 20 mph) may legally operate on local streets in the right lane of travel only or on the shoulder. "