Next week, the Austin City Council could authorize Austin police to write tickets to zippy scooter drivers officers deem a danger to the public.

At $40 for the first violation and $80 for each subsequent infraction, the fines would be the first citations specifically aimed at "micro-mobility devices," which the city is proposing as a catch-all designation for smaller transportation devices that include dockless electric scooters, bicycles, e-bikes and skateboards.

The proposed ordinance will be put to a City Council vote March 28. It states that riders using sidewalks must travel “at a reasonable and prudent speed.” An actual speed limit is not outlined in the pending city law, meaning it will likely be up to police discretion to determine if the law has been broken.

"My hope is that the ordinance is going to provide our staff the enforcement tool they need so individuals are held accountable and use scooters in a safe manner," said Council Member Kathie Tovo, who represents downtown Austin.

A vote on the ordinance would come just two weeks after South by Southwest, when record-shattering numbers of scooter riders zipped in and around downtown.

The ordinance also outlines parking requirements for scooters. It states that riders cannot leave a scooter in front of a accessibility ramp meant for people with disabilities; in a spot that obstructs a bus stop; in front of a building entrance; or in front of a public bench. The ordinance also prohibits leaving a scooter on private property without the permission of the owner.

At a meeting Monday of the city's Urban Transportation Commission, commissioner Samuel Franco took issue with perceived ambiguity in some of the ordinance's rules.

"Some of the language here is a little arbitrary," Franco said. "If a police officers sees you potentially parking a bike in what they see as some sort of area that is blocking pedestrian activity when you may not see it that way, the opportunity to be fined and ticketed is there."

City law already prevents people from using their cellphones while using a bicycle. The new ordinance extends that restriction to scooters.

Transportation staffers said at the Monday meeting that the ordinance is the first part of a larger update to scooter regulations that will come before the City Council. More updated rules are expected in May that could include an increase to permit fees the city charges to scooter companies like Bird and Lime.

Transportation staffers expect permit fees to generate about $6.4 million for the city in a year when it's estimated that the city will spend $2.8 million to $3.2 million on programs related to scooters. The city plans to spend the difference on infrastructure related to scooters and bicycles.

Other possible regulations could include capping the number of scooter companies allowed to operate in Austin. The city also could place a limit on the total number of scooters in operation.