Electric scooter riders in Blaine could face new penalties for careless operation, while public nudity at Lakeside Commons Park beach is now specifically prohibited under code amendments approved May 4 by the Blaine City Council.
The council voted 6-0 to approve amendments to three chapters of city code covering electric-assisted bicycles, motorized scooters and public nudity.
Deputy Chief of Police Joe Gerhardt said the ordinance adds electric-assisted bicycles and motorized scooters to Chapter 82 and includes several new provisions.
Under the changes, careless operation can result in impoundment for up to 30 days. Riders younger than 18 must wear a helmet, with violations treated as petty misdemeanors.
The same penalty applies to operating a scooter in a business district or exceeding the state-standard 20 mph speed limit, Gerhardt said.
Gerhardt said the Blaine Police Department plans to work with school districts on an education campaign for students and families. The department also plans increased awareness through social media and written materials, increased patrol enforcement, bike patrol efforts, proactive enforcement measures and additional signage.
Parks and Recreation Director Jerome Krieger said the city held a March 9 workshop to review new rules and regulations for Lakeside Commons Park beach.
“Hard to believe this will be the 17th summer of the beach already this year,” Krieger said. “And we have not modified a rule since the beginning, so this is the first time we’ve modified some things after learning some things over the past couple of years.”
The first reading of the ordinance was held in April.
Council Member Leslie Larson said the code update included several public safety and parks-related changes. She said one addition makes it an offense to be nude at the beach.
“Which seems like a silly thing to even have to cover,” Larson said, “but the Supreme Court in Minnesota had deemed in the last couple years that it’s not an offense any longer to be topless as a female.”
City officials noted that breastfeeding remains legal under state law, which Blaine’s city code is subject to.
Larson said she brought the issue forward because Blaine has a public beach used by families and the broader community.
“We did not see that to be a problem last summer,” Larson said of nudity at the beach, “but with the new policy, we weren’t sure what to expect. So that was nice to see that it wasn’t an issue, but it’s good to see that we have it in writing.”
Larson also raised concerns about electric scooters, particularly in the Lakes area, where she said bike lanes are narrow and traffic moves quickly on Lakes Parkway and South Lakes Parkway. The speed limit on both roads is 35 mph.
“But people regularly go 45,” Larson said. “I guess I’m not sure exactly how fast they’re going. I know when you’re standing in close proximity, it does seem pretty fast. But they do speed a lot.”
Larson said that if police enforce scooter rules requiring riders to use bike lanes, she is concerned about pushing children into narrow bike lanes along those roads.
Mayor Tim Sanders said he was glad the city could still allow children to use electric bicycles and scooters, but said safety has to be emphasized.
“But I do think it’s really important that parents and educators really work on emphasizing and stressing the responsibility that comes along with that,” Sanders said.
Sanders said scooters have been an issue in Blaine and in other cities across Minnesota.