Urbana, IL Authorizing Use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles in University District
Type: Ordinance
Status: Adopted on 2/19/07
Vote: Unanimous
Source File: http://www.ci.urbana.il.us/urbana/city_council/signed_ordinances/2007/Signed_Ordinance_2007-02-024.pdf
Text:
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-02-024
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LOCAL TRAFFIC CODE BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 23-28 (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles)
WHEREAS, The City Council, after having considered the volume, speed, and character of traffic on streets located within the City's University District as defined herein, finds that neighborhood electric vehicles as defined herein, may safely travel on and across streets in said District if they are operated in accordance with the regulations set forth herein, and that the public safety will not be jeopardized by operation of said vehicles in accordance with said regulations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF URBANA, ILLINOIS, as follows:
Section 1. A new Section 23-28 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
Section 23-28. Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
a. "Neighborhood electric vehicle shall mean a self-propelled, electronically powered four-wheeled vehicle which is capable of attaining in one mile, a speed of more than 20 miles per hour, but not more than 25 miles per hour, and which conforms to federal regulations under Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500."
b. University District is defined of the area enclosed by the following boundary: University Avenue, Neil Street, St. Mary's Road, and Lincoln Avenue.
c. General Prohibition. Except as expressly authorized in this Section, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a neighborhood electric vehicle on any street in the City.
d. Authorized in University District. A person may operate a neighborhood electric vehicle on streets located within the University District in accordance with the following rules and conditions:
- No person shall operate a neighborhood electric vehicle on any street having a posted speed limit exceeding 35 miles per hour, provided that nothing herein shall prohibit a person from driving a neighborhood electric vehicle across a street with a posted speed limit exceeding 35 miles per hours.
- All persons operating neighborhood electric vehicles shall comply with all applicable requirements of section 11-1426.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/1-100 et seq., hereinafter referred to as the "Illinois Vehicle Code".
- Required equipment. No neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated on a street unless, at a minimum, it has the following: brakes, a steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow moving emblem (as required of other vehicles in Section 12-709 of the Illinois Vehicle Code) on the rear of the neighborhood electric vehicle, a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear, brake light, and turn signals. When operated on a roadway, a neighborhood electric vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted as required by Section 12-201 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Section 2. The City Clerk is directed to publish this Ordinance in pamphlet form by authority of the corporate authorities, and this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication in accordance with Section 1-2-4 of the Illinois Municipal Code.
This Ordinance is hereby passed by the affirmative vote, the "ayes" and "nays" being called, of a majority of the members of the Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, at a meeting of said Council.