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Luz Lazo
Washington Metro, buses, Capital Bikeshare and traffic reporters including taxis,
Almost all night long, electric scooters look like ubiquitous on the streets and in cities across the country.
From teens to commuters, commuters, commuters and tourists, this latest traffic trend is filled with excitement, and you can not tell where you can get in, whether it's a car or a place where you can get over the hustle and bustle.
And they do not seem to disappear anytime soon.
Dave Estrada, director of government relations and policy at Bird, began a social experiment with several scooters on the streets of Santa Monica, California. Since then, it has expanded to more than 75 markets in 7 countries.
The scooters seem to be here to stay, so we love or hate them, so we will try to answer some of the most common questions we have received about them.
They are everywhere, but how did we come here?
Rent a scooter in Washington. (Matt McClain / Washington Post)
Companies such as Bird, Skip and Lime installed scooters on American streets for the first time. They followed the frenzy of a pier-free bike ride that started in the US in 2017, and bicycle rides were available through apps and could be dropped wherever the trip was completed. Some of these services suffered from vandalism, theft and urban regulations. Some companies that started with bicycles added scooters to their vehicles. E scooters have just begun to appear in cities throughout California last spring and have expanded rapidly. In less than a year, thousands of people can rent from Portland to New York.
Where can I find it?
The two largest providers, Bird and Lime, are located in more than 75 markets in several countries. It covers major US markets including San Diego, Denver, Dallas, St. Louis, Detroit, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Minneapolis, New York, Baltimore and Washington. Skip has scooters in Washington, Portland, San Francisco, and Long Beach and has recently moved from Denver, Santa Monica, Washington to San Jose and Oakland,
How are they regulated?
Most cities did not prepare for scooters and there were no regulations for scooters. Some places have banned all services, and in some cases ordered a cease-fire and stop in response to the unexpected arrival of scooters and bicycles that never stop. Cities are struggling to create rules to manage their services, including setting scooters where they are legitimate, vehicle restrictions, rates, parking and speed requirements. Seattle banned shared scooters until they studied the situation in other cities. Nashville accused Bird of using public footage without permission early this year, but later approved a bill to return the scooter. San Francisco forced the scooter company to shut down, but recently it has resumed its road to industry again.
The electric scooter, which filed a complaint in San Francisco last June, returned to the city last month as part of a one-month trial program. (David Paul Morris / Bloomberg)
In the district, scooters are subject to the "personal mobility device" rule, which means that cars can not be hit by people under 16 years of age.
[[[[Dockless bikes, scooter companies clash with American cities surrounding regulations]
Where can they ride?
In most cities you can use electric scooters on the roads. Like a bike, it is considered a vehicle and you can share regular traffic and roads. When you are on the road, the rider must follow the traffic regulations. However, there may be different rules for each state and city, and the rider must verify the rules of jurisdiction.
Like bicycles, scooters can be used in India in some cities, but not in other cities.
For example, California law prohibits electric scooters from being reported. In Denver, scooters are only allowed in India, and street use is prohibited. The school district may use scooters for sidewalks, except for the central business district, which includes the city. The same rules apply to bicycles.
Generally, riders are encouraged to use bicycle roads or roads where possible. In crowded India, horseback riding is not recommended because pedestrians can be dangerous.
How can I borrow one and how much is it cost?
You can use your company's apps to find, unlock, and pay for scooters. This app is available for purchase on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Apps work alike. Provide the nearest scooter location and guide you through the rental process. I need a credit card. Scooters in most cities start at $ 1 and lend you 15 cents a minute. In some cities it is 20 cents a minute.
Are there scooter rental and boarding requirements?
Most companies must be 18 years of age or older. These regulations are often printed on scooters or included in user contracts. Bird and Lime require you to scan your driver's license. Skipping uses ID scanning technology to help riders meet age requirements in most cities.
Do you have a safety protocol and do you need a helmet?
Most cities do not require the use of helmets as in Washington, but we recommend using them. Bird and Skip sends a helmet to the user who requested the helmet. Only one person on a scooter at a time is allowed for safety. Riders must comply with all traffic regulations, including signals and signals. Do not use your hands while driving and do not wear headphones. You can pay attention to your surroundings to avoid interference.
[Electric scooters might revolutionize urban transport — if it wasn’t for stupid humans]
How are scooters maintained?
The company has to staff staff to inspect the scooter daily, but reports of malfunctions and broken or broken equipment are increasing. Some companies said they are increasing maintenance and employment dynamics and professional staff. For example, Bird recently hired a team called Bird Watchers. Bird Watchers are trained to inspect all scooters and inspect maintenance checklists to solve problems on site. The company is also working on the installation of daily scooters (an option that is more durable than the first generation of scooters).
How fast can you go?
Most companies have set the speed limit on the scooter to 15 mph. However, they urge riders to follow local regulations and pay attention. Due to new regulations in the district next year, the company must set a maximum speed limit of 10 mph.
What is the battery life?
Most shared scooters Till It is 30 miles and designed to last all day.
How long is the operation?
Most scooter companies carry a scooter at night, charge and repair if necessary, and return it to the street in the morning. Lime says his scooter is available 24/7. They have a team pulling scooters for re-adjustment every eight hours.
Can it be used in all kinds of weather?
Scooters may not be widely used in some cities as winter approaches. The company says it can ride the vehicle during bad weather and / or adjustments. It is expected that the scooter will not work when a snowstorm occurs. Company officials say that they decide cases on a case-by-case basis. Bird has been shut down in Hurricanes Florence and Michael affected towns. Lime explained that in areas where the roads are too ice-cold and harsh, the scooters are redistributed to warmer areas.
Where should I park?
The key is to park responsibly. Some cities (and companies) have started to crack down on users who dump scooters when they finish scooters. They are trying to make parking spaces designated on the sidewalk and to prevent bicycles and scooters. Some companies are developing geofencing technology that prevents riders from ending their journey in areas where they should not leave the vehicle. Riders should not normally leave the scooter to block at pedestrian access, ramp or building entrances, or crosswalks or bus and subway stops. The scooter should stand upright.
What are we looking forward to?
Over the next few months, there may be social controversy about scooter courtesy, infrastructure dealing with personal mobility options, and more educational campaigns to drive safe and orderly horse riding. This fall, Lime launches a $ 3 million education and safety campaign that includes advertising, community welfare and helmet distribution. Companies and cities are more effective at educating all road users on how to coexist.
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