Urban areas in the US have seen an influx in rentable electric scooters in the last year, with Bird and Lime being two popular companies.
The concept is appealing and simple: by downloading the corresponding app, users can pay a small fee to unlock and ride an electric scooter or e-scooter, some of which can get up to speeds of 15 mph.
Since launching in 2017, Bird has deployed its scooters in 100-plus cities around the globe; and Lime even rebranded from its original name, LimeBike (in reference to rideshare bikes), to announce it had expanded its enterprise to include electric scooters.
In fact, the city of San Francisco issued an official ban on e-scooters last spring. Scooter companies Bird, Lime and Spin had been operating in San Francisco without permission from the city.
[Other sustainable ideas: How School District Cut 62 Percent in Energy Spending]
The ban was enacted until the city could figure out how to regulate them. After a long permit application process, San Francisco decided to allow just two companies, Scoot and Skip, a one-year test permit.
BUILDINGS Podcast
Bike Parking at Commercial Buildings
Wellness programs at workplaces are becoming more common, as are other ways of getting there, like on a bicycle. With this comes the need for facilities managers and building owners to provide adequate parking for these bikes.
[podcast]
Christoph chats with Mike Arvidson from Duo-Gard about the bike parking trend from the expo floor at BOMA 2018.
3 Tips for Proper E-Scooter Parking
You might be seeing an abundance of scooters strewn on the sidewalks outside your building. If occupants start to complain, what should you do?
Many cities, and the scooter companies themselves, are still grappling with parking requirements. Austin, TX, even ordered dockless scooter companies to build in geo-fencing technology that will let riders know when they’ve parked in a city-approved area.
In the meantime, consider these three tips to protect your occupants and property:
1. Encourage occupants to park responsibly.
Scooters should not be parked in spots that block pedestrian walkways, driveways or building entrances. They also should not be parked at crosswalks or bus stops. Consider putting up signage and sending occupants a memo.
2. Brush up on your city’s regulations.
How has your city responded to the influx of electric scooters? Research shows that city regulations have proven successful in resolving dockless system complaints. A report from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy states that, when local governments view dockless systems as an extension of the transit system, appropriate regulation allows ridership to flourish.
3. Display safety protocols.
Recommend that occupants wear helmets when riding e-scooters, and indicate where the hand brakes are on different brands. Encourage riding in bike lanes instead of busy sidewalks.
What to Expect of E-Scooters in the Future
Despite problems you might be facing with rideshare scooters — whether it be congested sidewalks or the potential for accidents — their prevalence indicates they’re here to stay. And the benefits of e-scooters shouldn’t be ignored.
While cities and scooter companies continue to figure out the best way to work together, let your occupants know your concern is all about their safety first.
Two handpicked articles to read next:
