Share electric scooters clog San Francisco streets

Share electric scooters clog San Francisco streets

Citizens of the city of San Francisco, California are up in arms about the number of electric scooters (e-scooters) clogging up city streets, preventing access to businesses and handicap access ramps, causing pedestrians to trip over e-scooters left haphazardly on sidewalks. This is over and above the danger posed by e-scooter riders zipping in and out of pedestrians at speed of up to 24 km/h.

In March, three e-scooter sharing companies set up shop in San Francisco, offering services to the city’s denizens. These dockless e-scooters are rentable, and the service is provided by start-ups Bird, Lime and Spin.

Last mile transport solutions are the bug-bear of mass transit systems, notably for commuters who may live some distance away from their preferred transport node. A case of too near to drive, too far to walk, along with the parking issues found in many inner urban centres.

The trio have raised about USD 225 million (RM876.5 million) in venture capital between them, calling themselves “the latest in a long line of disruptive businesses.” Travis VanderZanden, chief operating officer of Bird Rides – the first to offer dockless e-scooters – says their mission is to “reduce car trips, traffic and carbon emissions,” reports CNET.

However, San Francisco is refusing to stand for this currently unlicensed and unauthorised service which somewhat follows the modus operandi of previous shared transport services such as Uber and Lyft, with cease and desist letters being sent out. “San Franciscans’ safety and public resources are not commodities for these companies to monetise,” says San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

Using an app, a rider unlocks the e-scooter, having first located one nearby. Bird charges USD 1 plus 0.15 per minute (RM3.90 plus 58 sen per minute) for the use of its e-scooter, the other service providers being similarly priced.

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Mohan K Ramanujam

Coming with diverse and extensive experience in heavy engineering, Mohan enjoys making anything with wheels go fast, especially motorcycles. His weapon of choice is the Desmoquattro engine, and he has a penchant for anything with a dash of Italian design. Strangely enough, he insists he's a slow rider.

 

Comments

  • TreeHugger on Apr 23, 2018 at 10:55 pm

    Same thing here in Malaysia it has becoming annoying to see ugly sights of app-based rental bicycles being abandoned all over the sidewalks and next to building entrances while sometimes you can also see a whole row of bikes fell down.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Apr 24, 2018 at 9:39 am

    obike here is a nuisance too

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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