SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KGTV) - The City of San Diego may want to learn a lesson from Santa Monica when it comes to rental scooters.
Santa Monica just created new parking spaces for the electric scooters and e-bikes called Shared Mobility Drop Zones. After numerous complaints about riders leaving the scooters on sidewalks, the city decided to take action.
San Diego has several bike and scooter companies providing rentals, including Bird and Lime.
When asked about the possibility of creating similar parking spaces locally, a spokesman for Mayor Kevin Faulconer said, "The City is looking at a variety of ways to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation, while keeping the public right of way clean and safe. As an example, we are in the process of installing more than 100 bicycle racks in different parts of the City. Other options are still being discussed."
The state’s rules code includes parking rules for dockless bikes and scooters:
No person shall leave a bicycle lying on its side on any sidewalk, or shall park a bicycle on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic. Local authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit bicycle parking in designated areas of the public highway, provided that appropriate signs are erected.
The operator of a motorized scooter shall not leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.
The City of Santa Monica is piloting e-scooter & e-bike parking areas to encourage responsible parking of shared mobility devices. Be on the lookout for these Shared Mobility Drop Zones coming to a corner near you. pic.twitter.com/m7PLoRzMnK
— City of Santa Monica (@santamonicacity) August 22, 2018
