[ad_1]
Electric scooters are the hip, new trend in urban mobility (less the new part and the hip is negotiable). The Bird brand scooters are perhaps the most recognizable, but Lime, which started in 1965, has also joined the local scooter landscape.
All you need to participate in this zippy phenomenon is a smartphone app and headset – although many riders seem to be without it. Then, just locate a scooter nearby, unlock it and scoot in the setting sun.
They are simple.
They are practical.
They spread.
They tear our cities apart .
Creative Means Although Not All Legal . Where some see a cheap and amusing mobility solution others see an invading invasion that endangers the runners and everyone around them.
There were also more than a few questions about the rules. Let's go for a convoluted ride
WHAT ARE THE RULES WHEN YOU ROLL A SCOOTER?
Los Angeles, Santa Monica and other cities were largely caught unprepared by the craze for scooters
The main criticism of scooter start-ups is that they operate on the principle it is better to ask for forgiveness than to obtain permission. City authorities and public security say that Bird, Lime and other companies are knocking down two-wheelers in communities and worry about the legal framework later.
"At first, for dockless scooters in general, it was a Thomas Lord approach, a Los Angeles-based general manager for Lime, recently stated on KPCC's AirTalk ." said Lime made an effort to work with local governments "as much as possible" before deploying their scooters.
"We really want to be a benefit to the community and not something that is a surprise and a detractor" He added
Many parts are still under development, but the California Vehicle Code covers the main rules of the road for motorized scooters.Here is a short guide:
- You must have a valid driver's license or training permit to ride
- Everyone must wear a helmet while driving Everyone Everyone
- One person per scooter No hop-ons .
- You are z ride on the road, never on the sidewalk.
- Do not park scooters on the sidewalk in the manner of a pedestrian crossing. unless the motorized scooter is equipped with adequate lighting equipment, including a visible light source from the front and sides, and reflectors.
In Santa Monica, the epicenter of the invasion of scooters with a stricter application of the laws on the wearing of helmets and the right of way. The department also shared videos on social media explaining do's and don'ts about scooters. They are as cheesy as you imagine
Expect more rules and regulations in the near future. Santa Monica set up a pilot program to improve regulation
The City of Los Angeles proposed its own bylaw which includes a cap the number of scooters that companies can put on the streets of the city, prohibit any advertising by third parties and exclude runners under 18 years.
LA also wants to oblige scooter sharing companies to share aircraft and passenger data so that the city can "impose, evaluate and manage suppliers".
Launch of a pilot program limiting companies like Bird and Lime to a maximum of 150 scooters
WHAT WOULD BE SAFE?
If we know one thing about human-driven vehicles, it is that we will find ways to hurt ourselves. Electric scooters are no different, and residents and transportation officials point to safety concerns not only for cyclists, but also for pedestrians, motorists and other commuters
. in or how many injuries have happened. Many of the complaints about careless driving and sidewalk blockage were anecdotal, but there were local reports of accidents and . There is also this video of a frontal collision between two scooters in Santa Monica.
Of course, Bird and Lime will trottinera on the line of trust "safety is our priority", and runners must agree to the safety rules in the application before being able to roll. Bird also offers free helmets to runners, but waiting for one in the mail does not help much tourists from outside who want to ride at this time .
19659005] would have salivated about potential accidents that are waiting to happen. At least one L.A. law firm announces its services for "accidents involving electric scooters Bird."
WHAT TOWNS ALLOW ME TO MOVE ON THESE SCOOTERS?
Large fleets of Bird and Lime scooters are located in Venice and Santa Monica. They are quite hard to miss .
Scooters were sighted crawling further to Los Angeles, including Culver City, Mid City Los Angeles and even as far as Brentwood.
Scooters Will Come Soon to Long Beach as part of the City Pilot Program
WHERE WELCOME TO SCOOTERS
The City of West Hollywood recently completely banned electric scooters and Beverly Hills voted just last week six-month ban while city leaders decide how to regulate them.
A "zero tolerance" policy for scooters was also published by the Beverly Hills Police Department. City officials say that they will not devote additional resources to law enforcement, but if agents catch someone on board a scooter or leave it in Beverly Hills, they can pocket it and impose fines on it.
It is unclear how big a good driver would be, but the company that owns the scooter has to shell out $ 172 for every scooter recovered from the street.
Conclusion: One expects to see more scooters on the streets of Los Angeles and other SoCal cities in the coming months. Probably a lot more. And if you've read this, you know the basic rules, so keep our safety there.
KPCC / Reporter LAist Mobility Meghan McCarty Carino and Take Two Producer Leo Duran contributed to this report.
The news arrives every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community in which you live. Now that we're part of KPCC, these stories (including the one you're doing!) Are made possible by generous people like you. Independent and local journalism is not cheap, but with your support, we can continue to deliver it. Donate now.
[ad_2]
Source link
