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Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

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Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#11

Post by leohutson »

justboxing wrote: post #7
ryanobjc wrote: post #5

I initially was bah humbugy about these scooters, but after reading an article that points out we have acres of space devoted to private automobiles, and that it really wouldn't be hard to accommodate these electric scooters, I changed my mind. They look fun, they seem more flexible than the hard-wired go-bike stations, and they don't seem super expensive. It's pretty obvious that our cities are broken, and SF needs…

> As for the self righteousness of "only peds belong on sidewalks", I get tired of that Nothing self-righteous about that. Sidewalks are -- as the name itself suggests - meant for WALKING on the SIDE of the road, not for riding scooters and other vehicles which pose a danger to other people walking. Only exception being people on wheelchairs, but they aren't driving at break-neck speeds like an electric scooter rider…

Well reflexively referring to the DEFINITION of a WORD is not an argument. When there are no dedicated cycleways, either pedestrians share with at least some cyclists or scooterists or you have children cycling on the road.

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#12

Post by fstuff »

ryanobjc wrote: post #5

I initially was bah humbugy about these scooters, but after reading an article that points out we have acres of space devoted to private automobiles, and that it really wouldn't be hard to accommodate these electric scooters, I changed my mind. They look fun, they seem more flexible than the hard-wired go-bike stations, and they don't seem super expensive. It's pretty obvious that our cities are broken, and SF needs…

>As for the self righteousness of "only peds belong on sidewalks", I get tired of that.

I strongly disagree with this. I've owned an electric scooter for over a year now and I learned real fast that it's super dangerous to ride on the sidewalk.

The problem with pedestrians is that they are not looking out for scooters. People will wander into your path and depending on how fast you're going you may collide.

Also you can't see people walking out onto the sidewalk from doorways and recessed building entrances and around corners. I see people on those scooters going full speed on sidewalks and if someone happens to suddenly walk out doorway they're getting hit.

When people walk out onthe street they should look both ways for cars before stepping on the road. In my opinion it's ridiculous to expect people to peer out of doorway stoops and look for people on scooters barreling down the sidewalk.

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#13

Post by chrischen »

justboxing wrote: post #4

These Electric Scooters in San Francisco have become a total nuisance. I've seen quite a few riders ride them on the sidewalks and 1 person even ran into a dude on a wheelchair who was trying to get onto the sidewalk after crossing the road on his wheelchair. The last safe place for Pedestrians and disabled persons -- the Sidewalk -- is under attack. The startups that have created this nuisance also park these scoote…

Scooters don't kill people. People kill people.

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#14

Post by seanp2k2 »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #6
ryanobjc wrote: post #5

I initially was bah humbugy about these scooters, but after reading an article that points out we have acres of space devoted to private automobiles, and that it really wouldn't be hard to accommodate these electric scooters, I changed my mind. They look fun, they seem more flexible than the hard-wired go-bike stations, and they don't seem super expensive. It's pretty obvious that our cities are broken, and SF needs…

I have more sympathy for pedestrians. They go around 2-3mph. Auto traffic around 25-50. Bikes and scooters are way closer to cars than pedestrians. So, its a matter of risking the safety of cyclist, or pedestrians. No clear win there I can see.

Sidewalks also have two-way traffic whereas the bike lane should be only one direction (which is also the direction of car traffic).

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#15

Post by Blaine0002 »

str33t_punk wrote: post #9
justboxing wrote: post #4

These Electric Scooters in San Francisco have become a total nuisance. I've seen quite a few riders ride them on the sidewalks and 1 person even ran into a dude on a wheelchair who was trying to get onto the sidewalk after crossing the road on his wheelchair. The last safe place for Pedestrians and disabled persons -- the Sidewalk -- is under attack. The startups that have created this nuisance also park these scoote…

The sidewalk in San Francisco is already not a safe place. Everyone is looking down at their phones. If they aren't, it seems like a large amount of SF residents don't know how to walk on sidewalks appropriately (stick to one side of the road when someone is coming the other way, don't walk 6 abreast, etc.). I have seen so many people bump into each other and get into accidents simply walking. I wouldn't mind scooter…

I can't agree with you more. No one is aware of anyone around them on the sidewalks of San Francisco. I've seen people pacing back and forth on the phone on the corner of a busy foot intersection not caring that they are a nuicense. Most others are buried in their phone and don't notice you until they see your feet. God forbid it's raining and everyone's walking around with beach umbrellas that take up the entire sidewalk and don't give a shit who's eyes they poke out. huff

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#16

Post by lolc »

Tiktaalik wrote: post #2

> Today’s startups are promoting their products by following the same playbook as cars: get them on the street, and figure out how to regulate them afterward. > But cities are moving quicker this time. Austin and San Francisco have seized dozens of them. San Francisco has sent a cease and desist letter (paywall) to one company decrying the scooters as a “public nuisance” and “endangering public health and safety.” Go…

The sad thing is that cars have had priority for so long it's hard to even imagine how it could be different. Now the scooters may boost the meager advances of bicycles.

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#17

Post by tlrobinson »

ryanobjc wrote: post #5

I initially was bah humbugy about these scooters, but after reading an article that points out we have acres of space devoted to private automobiles, and that it really wouldn't be hard to accommodate these electric scooters, I changed my mind. They look fun, they seem more flexible than the hard-wired go-bike stations, and they don't seem super expensive. It's pretty obvious that our cities are broken, and SF needs…

> As for the self righteousness of "only peds belong on sidewalks", I get tired of that. Being in traffic is exceedingly dangerous, and apparently as long as someone else's life on the line you're good with it.

As someone who uses electric skateboards and scooters fairly regularly, I disagree. Bicycle lanes are the most appropriate place for them.

Supposedly Steve Jobs predicted the Segway would cause cities to be "redesigned". He was wrong, but I don't think he was far off. The rising popularity of light electric vehicles may actually prompt cities to build more bike lanes to accommodate them.

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#18

Post by walshemj »

Tiktaalik wrote: post #2

> Today’s startups are promoting their products by following the same playbook as cars: get them on the street, and figure out how to regulate them afterward. > But cities are moving quicker this time. Austin and San Francisco have seized dozens of them. San Francisco has sent a cease and desist letter (paywall) to one company decrying the scooters as a “public nuisance” and “endangering public health and safety.” Go…

You know that horse's and horse riding are highly risky sports and also came with health risk's - the amount of horse poop in London as it grew was a major health issue.

A parked car doesn't suddenly get spooked and lash out with its hooves does it.

Re: Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

#20

Post by HenryBemis »

I so very much disagree with the article.

Someone with a car can kill 10 people and himself-herself.

Someone with scooter will most likely die in an impact with most vehicles. It is most likely someone can break a leg, than have thousand deaths per year. But hey, humanity has proven common sense wrong befoe.

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