Mixed reactions to an ordinance that outlines new guidelines for scooter riders have rippled through Cape Girardeau and the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

Mayor Harry Rediger said that the issue of scooter safety became a council priority after the death of Meg Herndon, a Southeast Missouri State University student. Herndon died in September when the scooter she was driving was struck by a truck whose driver failed to yield. Herndon was not wearing a helmet.

The ordinance, which was passed at the Nov. 5 city council meeting, states that all scooter riders must be insured, wear helmets and drive only on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Two people riding on one scooter and driving on sidewalks is also prohibited by the ordinance.

Many scooter owners are concerned about certain elements of the ordinance, especially the insurance requirement. The ordinance has been in effect since Nov. 16. A scooter or moped is defined by Missouri law as a two-wheeled vehicle that has an engine with a power of 50cc and under.

Rediger said that even though the speed at which the ordinance was passed was a result of Herndon's accident, scooters have become so popular in the area that they already were becoming a major issue that needed to be addressed. He said that in the last two years, the number of registered scooters has increased from around 100 to 500 in the area.

According to Rediger, the number of accidents has increased because of the volume of scooters in the area. There were 10 scooter accidents reported in 2010 and 14 scooter accidents reported in 2011.

Biology graduate student and shuttle bus driver Andrew Braun said he thinks passing the ordinance was necessary. He rides a motorcycle and said just because it is smaller than most cars, he doesn't ignore stop signs, weave onto sidewalks and drive irresponsibly, as he has witnessed some scooter riders do.

"I have seen countless acts of recklessness around the Southeast Missouri State University campus and in the Cape Girardeau area on 50cc scooters," Braun said. "Many -- not all -- of the riders seem to have little regard for either traffic regulations or etiquette. Whether they put themselves in danger is not my concern. Most of them I have seen are adults who are probably aware of the consequences of not wearing a helmet. But seeing them put others in danger -- car drivers, bicycle riders and especially pedestrians -- is unacceptable."

Todd Rapp of Campus Motorsports said he sold over 300 scooters last year, and before the ordinance they were popular because college students could use them without spending a lot of money on gas or insurance.

Scooter rider and history major at Southeast Anthony Laurentius said scooter riders need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility, but he also feels that the ordinance was rushed, especially the insurance requirement. Laurentius said he bought his scooter because, as a college student, he didn't want to walk, and he didn't want to pay for gas. He said insurance is not necessary for scooters because most scooters can go only as fast as 40 mph down a hill, and cars can do much more damage.

Rapp said that his main concern with the ordinance is the insurance requirement. According to him, the council did not take into account that if students don't have prior driving experience they will have to pay higher insurance rates and that it is hard to find insurance companies to cover scooters. He said many customers have visited his store asking him where to obtain insurance. Nationwide and Geico will cover scooters, but the policies can vary, Rapp said. Scooter owners who enter his store have said they had varying insurance estimates from $6 to $50 a month.

"It takes years to pass laws in Congress, but it took them two weeks," Rapp said. "The decision was made by council members who don't know much about scooters. Did they walk in here and ask us what we think?"

Jordan Gabriel, a health management major at Southeast, said the ordinance seemed to be passed in haste and he may get rid of his scooter due to the restrictions.

"I do not plan on getting insurance, and I will probably be getting rid of my scooter in the spring," Gabriel said. "The ordinance itself wasn't something that was needed. It was an emotional response to an emotional, isolated incident."