SALEM — City council has approved updates to the city’s traffic code to encompass electric scooters which were previously not mentioned in the code.

First discussed at length in the rules and ordinance committee’s Oct. 1 meeting, council voted unanimously to approve two ordinances that City Councilman and Committee Chairman Jeff Stockman has said are intended to “clarify that operation of ‘electric scooters’ is regulated within the city.” In that meeting Stockman said that he felt it was important to address the issue as there had been an increase in the use of electronic scooters within the city and surrounding areas.

The first ordinance adds definitions for both “electric scooter” and “mobility device,” defining an electric scooter as “a two-wheeled device that has handlebars, and a floorboard, which is designed to be stood upon when operating and is powered by electricity,” which sometimes is “equipped with a seat, but none has operable pedals.” A mobility device is defined as a “small mobility devices, such as an e-scooter, e-bike or other similar device,” and does not include those devices which are “designed solely for use by a child, those used as assistive mobility devices by persons with disabilities, or those defined as an electric personal assistive mobility device.”

The second ordinance clarifies that electric scooters and other commercial mobility devices are subject to the same standards and regulations as bicyclists. Under those regulations the minimum age to operate an e-scooter or mobility device on a public street will be set at 13, and a maximum of one passenger is permitted. Riders are also required to yield to pedestrians and “make a clear audible sign when passing them,” avoid sidewalks and remain on “bike lanes and surface roads,” and cross the street with “the appropriate light or walk/don’t walk signal.”

The scooters themselves are required to remain structurally unmodified and have a front light and rear reflector for operating at night, and the speed limit for e-scooters and mobility devices will match the statewide speed limit of 15 miles per hour.

Council also approved an ordinance implementing minimum standards for light and ventilation, also known as light trespassing, which was also discussed in the rules and ordinance committee’s Oct. 1. meeting. At that meeting Stockman said that the city currently did not yet have an ordinance for light trespassing and explained that it occurs when unshielded private lighting crosses property lines onto adjacent properties or public right of way.

The ordinance would prohibit any exterior light from glaring “into, or upon, the surrounding area or any residential premises,” nor may they “be used in any manner that could interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles on public streets,” or “be directed onto or across any property line.” Any light which could be mistaken for a traffic control device are also prohibited, and any light poles or building-mounted fixtures “must be designed with fully shielded luminaries,” meaning that shielding to prevent a light from shining anywhere but on the location intended to be illuminated is required. The height of light poles on private property would also be limited to eight feet for single and two family dwellings, and twelve feet for multiple family and townhouse dwellings, and under soffit lighting may be mounted no higher than 15 feet for residential dwellings.

Other matters approved include a resolution authorizing Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey to prepare and submit an application to participate the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program and execute contracts as required, and an ordinance authorizing appropriations and transfers.

City council will meet next at 7 p.m. Nov. 19.