Electric scooter “mayhem” sounds like when cars were introduced

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Apr 26, 2018, 2:32 AM UTC

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…

Post by theptip » Thu, Apr 26, 2018, 2:39 AM UTC

mattthebaker wrote: post #23

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…

Police just need to start issuing tickets. Seems like a solid and easy revenue stream. Both riding on the sidewalk and riding without a helmet is illegal. Haven't seen any rider wearing one. CA Law: "An operator of a motorized scooter must be at least 16 years old, possess a valid drivers license or instruction permit, and wear a helmet. A motorized scooter may be operated on a bicycle path, trail or bikeway, but not…

Post by woolvalley » Thu, Apr 26, 2018, 2:42 AM UTC

rdiddly wrote: post #40

Sort of an empty comparison to the automobile. Similar in the fact that it's being thrown out into the world without a plan, and there's no space for them, and there's an outcry. Different because they're a lot less deadly. The proliferation of private automobiles is a net negative for the world, so if these scooters displace (i.e. take away space from) cars, they're good. If they displace, hassle or inconvenience pe…

Post by s0rce » Thu, Apr 26, 2018, 2:46 AM UTC

walshemj wrote: post #18

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.

Post by bigtunacan » Thu, Apr 26, 2018, 2:52 AM UTC

zethraeus wrote: post #36

This article makes some throwaway concession to the 'far less dire consequences' but this is huge . These vehicles have far fewer negative externalities than cars. People don't die when they get hit by scooters and bikes. We can charge them with renewable energy. They don't take space from pedestrians as cars do. These are a huge clear good for cities. (And yes, people should gtfo the sidewalk, companies should educa…