(a)   Except as provided herein, golf carts, if properly equipped, as set forth at K.S.A. Chapter 8, Article 17 and K.S.A. 8-2503, as amended, and as may be applicable to such vehicles, may be operated on the public streets, roads, and alleys of the City of Sterling, except Broadway Street and any other street with a speed limit in excess of 30 mph, except that golf carts may cross Broadway Street from one side to the other by the most direct route.

(b)   Golf carts are defined as set forth in the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance 52nd Edition, or such Standard Traffic Ordinance as may be adopted from time to time in the future.

(c)   Prior to the operation of golf carts upon the City streets, roads, and alleys, all such vehicles must obtain the proper registration from the Sterling Police Department and pay the applicable registration fee of $30.00, or as may be determined by the Board of Commissioners from time to time and placed on the Master Fee Schedule.

(d)   The operator of a golf cart must have in his possession during the operation of such vehicle a valid driver’s license

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

(f)   No golf cart shall carry more than two occupants per bench seat, nor more than four occupants in total.

(g)   Golf carts shall not be operated or parked upon any sidewalk within the City of Sterling.

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

(Ord. 2419; Ord. 2581)

(a)   Subject to the rules and regulations contained herein, work-site utility vehicles and micro utility trucks may be operated upon the public streets, roads, and alleys within the City of Sterling, Kansas, except Broadway Street, except that such vehicles may cross Broadway Street from one side to the other by the most direct route.

(b)   Work-site utility vehicles and micro utility trucks are defined as set forth in the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance 52nd Edition, or such Standard Traffic Ordinance as may be adopted from time to time in the future.

(c)   Work-site utility vehicles and micro utility trucks shall comply with the equipment requirements as set forth in K.S.A. Chapter 8, Article 17 and K.S.A. 8-2503, as amended, as may be applicable to such vehicles.

(d)   Prior to the operation of work-site utility vehicles and micro utility trucks upon the City streets, roads, and alleys, all such vehicles must obtain the proper registration from the Sterling Police Department and pay the applicable registration fee of $30.00, or as may be determined by the Board of Commissioners from time to time and placed on the Master Fee Schedule.

(e)   The operator of a work-site utility vehicle or micro utility truck must have in their possession during the operation of such vehicle a valid driver’s license.

(f)   Work-site utility vehicles and micro utility trucks shall be subject to the rules and restrictions for vehicles as set forth in the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance 52nd Edition or such Standard Traffic Ordinance as may be adopted from time to time in the future.

(g)   No more than one occupant per passenger seat, nor two occupants per bench seat may be transported in such work-site utility vehicles/micro utility trucks upon the public streets, roads, and alleys within the City of Sterling, Kansas.

(h)   Every operator of a work-site utility vehicle/micro utility truck shall provide proof of liability insurance in accordance with the Standard Traffic Ordinance then in effect and any amendments thereto, and also in compliance with the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act (K.S.A. 40-3101, et. seq., and amendments thereto).

(Ord. 2419; Ord. 2581)

(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)

Any violation of this Article by golf carts, work-site utility vehicles, micro utility trucks, all-terrain vehicles, pocket bikes, or motorized scooters shall be deemed a traffic infraction and carry the same penalties as prescribed in the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance 52nd Edition, or in accordance with the Standard Traffic Ordinance then in effect and any amendments thereto, or as determined by the Municipal Court Judge.

(Ord. 2419; Ord. 2581)

(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)