D.C. officials are calling for strict new rules for mopeds and other motor scooters that would force owners to register the vehicles, get insurance and keep the bikes off sidewalks.

Upset scooter owners on Monday turned out for a hearing before the D.C. Council’s transportation committee to challenge the new initiative, arguing, among other things, that their scooters would almost certainly be stolen if they can’t keep pulling up onto the sidewalk to chain the bikes to trees or traffic signs.