ATLANTA – The city of Atlanta is considering changes to its rental scooter and e-bike program that could allow rides later into the night. 

On Wednesday, the City Council’s Transportation Committee advanced a measure to extend the rental curfew, potentially allowing rides until 2 a.m.

The current curfew for the bikes and scooters is midnight. The restriction was first implemented in 2019 following four fatal accidents involving scooters. Initially, rentals were shut down at 9 p.m., but this was later extended to midnight. 

However, some city leaders argue that the curfew unfairly limits transportation options for those working late-night shifts.

“The logic never really held to me why we were banning one type of motor transportation at night when you had others that were equally vulnerable or equally dangerous,” Council member Amir Farokhi of District 2 said. 

The council member added that the curfew impacts his working-class constituents, especially, “workers in town who use the scooters to get to and from their jobs at hotels and restaurants, after hours to get to market and otherwise get home.”

The Atlanta Police Department has raised concerns regarding the proposed change. 

Assistant Chief Carven Tyus explained to the committee that there are safety risks associated with late-night scooter use. 

“We do have people that use those scooters once it becomes dark to commit crimes,” Tyus said. He added that police would like to see more data before any curfew extension is implemented. “We’re all about the connectivity and people using scooters, but we just see a different breed of people using those scooters after midnight,” he stated.

Farokhi countered that the curfew is an excessive measure. “When I have a drive-by shooting on Boulevard, APD isn’t standing here telling me we need to ban cars in the hours of ten and twelve because there was a drive-by,” he argued.

Some city residents and students also voiced their support for the extended hours. 

A master’s student at Georgia Tech who regularly uses a scooter for late-night transportation told FOX 5, “As a female, being able to ride my scooter at night honestly makes me feel a little bit safer.”

The 2 a.m. curfew extension was approved by the Transportation Committee with three yes votes, though most members abstained, saying they wanted to see additional data on scooter safety. 

The measure now advances to the full City Council for a vote.

Dallas Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons has nothing but positives for the Atlanta Falcons ahead of Sunday’s Week 9 clash.

On his show, ‘The Edge with Michah Parsons,’ on Bleacher Report, Parsons was asked about his thoughts on his team’s matchup with the Falcons and whether or not he would be suiting up on Sunday. 

Regarding his injury status, he never commented on it and instead praised ‘Captain Kirk.’

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“It’s obviously going to be a great matchup. Kirk Cousins has been playing back into rhythm after being shaky the first few weeks. He’s looking very, very good.” Parsons said. 

He then delved into the rest of the offensive skill players.

“Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, obviously are all explosive around the field.”

As a player who spends his days terrorizing NFL offenses, the praise for the Falcons’ young core is quite high – as it should be. 

Bijan Robinson has transformed into one of the league’s most complete backs at just 22 years of age. He is fourth in the NFL with 790 yards from scrimmage.

Kyle Pitts, at 24 years of age, has the potential to thrive against the Cowboy’s defense, as they allowed George Kittle to gain 128 receiving yards and a touchdown last week. Additionally, they are one of the bottom ten defenses against defending the tight end position, as they have allowed four touchdowns on the year to opposing tight ends.

Drake London is also tied for fourth in the NFL with five touchdowns receptions on the season.

Parsons even went on to comment about Atlanta’s defense and their pass rush situation. 

“Their defense is lights out, everyone talks about them struggling to rush the passer. They got some good guys in Judon and Jarrett; it’s gonna start clicking.”

Above all, Micah understands that whoever Dallas’s opponent is, they tend to bring their A games.

“I know how it goes. Everyone plays great against us, and whoever it is will turn into the best defensive line in the NFL. It’ll be the game of the year for them, the game of the week for us.”

This matchup is an opportunity for the Falcons to end ‘America’s Team’s season. They will be going all in to avoid dropping to a 3-6 win/loss record with two other teams in the NFC East with five and six wins—the urgency is now for the Cowboys.

The Falcons must match that energy on Sunday despite being in the driver’s seat of the NFC South.

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The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this year. After a loss on Sunday Night Football to the San Francisco 49ers, the team has fallen below .500 for the second time this season. This is a team that has won 12 games in three straight years, but that streak could come to an end unless they start turning things around immediately.

Their Week 9 opponent will be a very hot Atlanta Falcons team. After a slow start to the season, the Falcons have won four of their last five games. They’ve started to get Bijan Robinson going. Kyle Pitts has emerged as a legitimate option in that offense. The defense is starting to force more turnovers. Everything is looking up in Georgia, which could mean disaster for the Cowboys.

Here are our experts’ predictions for this Week 9 showdown.

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Falcons vs. Cowboys odds, moneyline, over/under

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• Spread: Falcons (-2.5)
• Moneyline: Falcons (-145); Cowboys (+120)
• Over/under: 52

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NFL Week 9 odds, predictions and picks

Jets vs. Texans | Falcons vs. Cowboys | Ravens vs. Broncos | Bills vs. Dolphins | Panthers vs. Saints | Bengals vs. Raiders | Browns vs. Chargers | Giants vs. Commanders | Titans vs. Patriots | Cardinals vs. Bears | Eagles vs. Jaguars | Packers vs. Lions | Seahawks vs. Rams | Vikings vs. Colts | Chiefs vs. Buccaneers

Lorenzo Reyes: Falcons 24, Cowboys 20

Dallas has shown its inability to run the ball and stop the run is a critical flaw, one that Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb cannot overcome. On the other side, Atlanta is a little inconsistent on offense week to week, but I think the Falcons simply are a better play here, as long as the line stays under a field goal.

Tyler Dragon: Falcons 26, Cowboys 21

Already the losers of two in a row, the Cowboys are in danger of going on a long losing streak. The Cowboys’ next four games are against Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston and Washington. The stretch will likely define Dallas’ season. The Falcons have topped 30 points in three of their last four contests. Kirk Cousins ranks third in the NFL in passing yards and Bijan Robinson is a top-10 rusher.

Richard Morin: Falcons 26, Cowboys 23

Atlanta’s offense is humming while Dallas is reeling on all fronts. I like the Falcons by a field goal.

Jordan Mendoza: Falcons 28, Cowboys 23

Kirk Cousins has looked great in Atlanta, and he gets to feast on a struggling Dallas defense to send the Cowboys spiraling.

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