Sponsor
Aldermen Helding and Wisneski
Title
Ordinance No. 05-08
To create Sec. 94-21 of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine, Wisconsin relating to Traffic and Vehicles - Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.
The Common Council of the City of Racine do ordain as follows:
Part 1:
Sec. 94-21 of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine is hereby created to read as follows:
"94-21. Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.
(a) Definitions. A neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) means a self-propelled electrically-powered motor vehicle that has successfully completed the neighborhood electric vehicle America test program conducted by the federal department of energy and that conforms to the definition and requirements for low-speed vehicles, as adopted in the federal motor vehicle safety standards for "low-speed vehicles" under 49 CFR 571.3(b) and 571.500. Electric golf carts are not included within the foregoing definition.
A neighborhood electric vehicle shall be 4-wheeled and have a speed range of at least 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved surface and have a gross vehicle weight of less than 2,500 pounds. Neighborhood electric vehicles shall have all of the following specifications:
(1) Headlamps;
(2) Front and rear turn signals;
(3) Stop lamps;
(4) Reflex reflectors; one red on each side as far to the rear as practicable and one red on the rear;
(5) An exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side and either an exterior mirror on the passenger side or an interior rearview mirror;
(6) Parking brake;
(7) A windshield that conforms to the requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standard on glazing materials (49 CFR 571.205);
(8) A vehicle identification number (VIN) that complies with federal law as provided in 949 CFR 565;
(9) A type 1 or type 2 seatbelt assembly conforming to 49 CFR 571.209 and federal motor vehicle standard no. 209 for each designated seating position; and
(10) Meets the general test conditions under 49 CFR 571.50056.
(b) Use permitted on city streets.
A licensed individual may operate a neighborhood electric vehicle on those city streets having a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, and headlamps must be on during operation.
(c) License.
Neighborhood electric vehicles shall be registered, titled and license by the State of Wisconsin.
(d) Permitted users.
Any person who operates a neighborhood electric vehicle on any City street must hold a valid State of Wisconsin operator's license. The operation of a neighborhood electric vehicle must in all respects comply with Chapter 94 of the Racine Code of Ordinances.
(e) Penalty.
Any person convicted of violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall forfeit an amount as provided in sec.1-15."
Part 2:
This ordinance shall take effect upon passage and the day after publication.
Passed by the Common Council:
__________________________
Approved: ______________
__________________________
Mayor
Attest:
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City Clerk
Fiscal Note: N/A