SAN DIEGO (KGTV/CNS) - A City Council committee Wednesday will discuss potential regulations, including a fee and permit system, for dockless vehicle operators in the city of San Diego.
The council’s Budget and Government Efficiency Committee is expected to examine what cities with more experience with dockless vehicle programs, like Seattle, have done regarding safety and public nuisance concerns.
Dockless bike and scooter operators began service in San Diego in February, but numerous issues have come up since then.
Many San Diegans have complained about seeing the scooters and bikes cluttering neighborhoods and sidewalks. Injury concerns have also been raised, as some say riders are using the bikes or scooters without helmets or are riding in restricted areas.
Recently, bikes and scooters have been spotted damaged and in disrepair, even showing up off San Diego’s shores.
The issue led to the proposal of a temporary ban on scooters on Mission Beach’s boardwalk, but that idea was voted down by the City Council last month.
Now, Councilwoman Barbara Bry and the committee she chairs will work to come up with an ordinance to bring back to the Budget Committee in the fall.
“We need to figure out how to deal with this in a reasonable way and also what kind of fee structure is reasonable. We can use these fees to invest in infrastructure to support them,” Bry said.
Proceeds from a permit and fee system would fund enforcement activities related to safety issues.
Proposed payment mechanisms include application fees, annual per-bike fees, bike removal fees and performance bond fees.
The discussion is an informational item; no committee action is needed.
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