(a)   Except as provided herein, golf carts may not be operated upon public streets, roads, and alleys within the corporate limits of Sterling.

(b)   “Golf cart” shall be defined as set forth at K.S.A. 8-126(jj) and amendments thereto.

(c)   Subject to the terms and conditions contained in this section, golf carts may be operated on the streets, roads, and alleys within the corporate limits, except they may not be operated on Broadway Street or East Cleveland Street or any other street or roadway having a speed limit in excess of 30 miles per hour; however, golf carts may cross the above-stated streets.

(d)   Golf carts shall only be operated on the streets, roads, and alleys during the hours between sunrise and sunset.

(e)   Prior to operation of golf carts on the streets, roads, and alleys of the City, all golf carts must obtain proper registration from the police department and pay the applicable registration fee of $15.00 per calendar year, or any part thereof. Prior to issuance of such registration, the police department shall inspect the golf cart to assure that it is equipped with sufficient brakes, head lights, tail and brake lights, turn signal equipment, rearview mirror, and a display of “slow moving vehicle” affixed to the back of the golf cart as required by Kansas law. Proof of insurance, as required in Section (g) below, shall be furnished at the time of application for registration. Should the golf cart pass inspection, a registration sticker will be issued and shall be affixed to the golf cart.

(f)   The operator of the golf cart must have in his possession during operation a valid Kansas driver’s license.

(g)   Every operator of a golf cart shall provide proof of liability insurance in accordance with the Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities then in effect, and amendments thereto, and the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act, K.S.A. 40-3101 et seq., and amendments thereto.

(h)   No golf cart shall carry more than two (2) occupants per bench seat and in any event no more than four (4) passengers, including the driver. Further, the operator shall not carry any person nor shall any person ride in a position that will interfere with the operation of the golf cart.

(i)    A golf cart shall not be operated nor parked upon any sidewalk within the City.

(j)    Every person operating a golf cart on the streets, roads, and alleys of the City shall be subject to all laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of motor vehicles within the City, and all restrictions on the operation of golf carts as set forth in the article. Should any conflict exist between the laws regulating motor vehicles and the specific requirements of golf carts as set forth herein, the terms of this article shall prevail.

(Ord. 2419)

(a)   Except as provided herein, work-site utility vehicles and micro utility trucks may not be operated upon public streets, roads, and alleys within the corporate limits of Sterling.

(b)   “Work-site utility vehicle” and “micro utility truck” shall be defined as set forth at K.S.A. 8-126(hh) and (ii) and amendments thereto.

(c)   The rules and restrictions for operation of work-site utility vehicles and micro utility trucks shall be the same as those governing the operation of golf carts as set forth at Section 14-601.

(d)   No more than two (2) persons, including the driver, may be transported in such vehicle during operation on the streets, roads, and alleys of the City.

(Ord. 2419)

(a)   All-terrain vehicle shall be defined as any motorized non-highway vehicle 48 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 1,000 pounds or less, traveling on three or more low pressure tires, and having a seat to be straddled by the operator. As used in this subsection, “low pressure tire” means any pneumatic tire six inches or more in width, designed for use on wheels with rim diameter of 12 inches or less, and utilizing an operating pressure of 10 pounds per square inch or less as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

(b)   Pocket bike shall be defined as every device having two tandem wheels, or three wheels, which may be propelled by a gasoline engine and which the headlights are lower than 24 inches, its tailpipe is lower than 15 inches, and no vehicle identification number is located on the vehicle nor can ownership of the vehicle be registered.

(c)   The operation of all-terrain vehicles, pocket bikes, and motorized scooters on the streets, roads, and alleys within the corporate limits of the City of Sterling is prohibited.

(Ord. 2419; Ord. 2537)

A violation of this article shall be deemed a traffic infraction. Upon an entry or plea of guilty or no contest, or upon being found guilty of a violation hereof, the penalty imposed shall be in accordance with the penalty section of the Standard Traffic Ordinance then in effect for the City.

(Ord. 2419)

(a)   Micro Mobility Devices, as defined herein, may be operated in the City of Sterling Kansas, subject to the rules and regulations adopted herein.

(b)   Definition. Micro mobility device shall mean electric-assisted scooters, motorized skateboards, electric one-wheel boards, electric personal assistive mobility devices, hoverboards or self-balancing skateboards, and similar devices. Micro mobility devices shall not mean motorized or electric wheelchair.

(c)   It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a micro mobility device in the following areas:

(1)   Riders shall not ride on any public sidewalks in the City of Sterling except for the public sidewalks along Broadway Street between Van Buren and Jefferson streets. Pedestrians shall have the right-of-way on all sidewalks.

(2)   Public parking facilities, except directly to and from areas marked or signed as micro mobility device parking areas.

(3)   Sterling Lake Park Versa Court, RV Park, swimming pool, splash pad, basketball courts, tennis courts, and all public park pathways.

(4)   Private pathways at residential or business properties.

(5)   In grassed or unpaved areas.

(6)   Any designated fire lane and any zone marked for loading or unloading.

(d)   Any person who rides a micro mobility device on a public sidewalk shall:

(1)   Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing pedestrians; and

(2)   Travel at a slow speed that is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions.

(e)   It shall be unlawful to operate a micro mobility device between hours of dusk or 9pm whichever is earlier and sunrise.

(f)   Except for conditions described in subsection (c) and (d), operators shall ride in the street and nearest to the right side of street as possible.

(g)   Micro mobility devices shall be parked in the upright position in areas marked and signed for micro mobility device parking, or near bike racks, or on the public sidewalk nearest to the street as possible, and not conflicting with the provisions outlined in subsection (h)

(h)   It shall be unlawful to park a micro mobility device in a manner that:

(1)   Is in the City street unless marked as a designated parking area for micro mobility devices.

(2)   Blocks access to business entrances

(3)   Blocks access to driveways

(4)   Violates Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

(5)   Is in any zone designated for loading or unloading

(i)    This section shall not apply to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of duties.

(j)    Operators must be at least 18 years of age. A driver’s license is not required.

(k)   It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with all traffic regulations applicable to bicycles.

(l)    It shall be unlawful for the operator of a micro mobility device to:

(1)   Operate a micro mobility device on a street with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or more unless the micro mobility device is traveling in a marked bike lane.

(2)   Operate a micro mobility device at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.

(3)   Fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and/or give an audible signal before overtaking and passing pedestrians or bicyclists.

(4)   Fail to comply with City ordinances governing City park property.

(5)   Fail to remain alert and give full attention to safe operation of the micro mobility device while in motion.

(6)   Engage in any activity that interferes with the safe operation of the micro mobility device; or

(7)   Operate the micro mobility device in such a manner as to indicate a careless or heedless disregard for the rights or safety of others, or in such a manner as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, any person or property.

(Ord. 2537)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article for which another penalty is not specifically provided shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than $20, nor more than $500.

(Ord. 2537)