Why more e-scooters are slated for Seattle streets

4 scooter share permits at the moment are up for grabs in Seattle — which is precisely the variety of scooter firms concerned in Seattle’s current scooter share pilot (Lime, Hyperlink, Spins, and Wheels). Town’s Division of Transportation will resolve which distributors will likely be awarded the permits. SDOT mentioned in a press release they’re “asking firms to supply a selected plan for a way they plan to deal with challenges.”

Such challenges embody retaining scooters off sidewalks, parking them correctly, and security. Shifting ahead, SDOT goals to create extra designated scooter parking areas, and implement fines on scooter prospects in the event that they trigger “pedestrian obstructions.” Such fines are prone to be $20 for every obstruction. SDOT notes that the fines could also be handed on to the shopper.

The choice comes after a current report from SDOT, which dove into why and when individuals rode e-scooters throughout a pilot interval between October 2020 and October 2021. And likewise, why some riders bought damage. It additionally evaluated methods to maintain riders protected and expertise to maintain sidewalks clear for pedestrians.

About 260,000 scooter prospects took practically 1.4 million journeys throughout the pilot interval. Throughout that point, a peak of 5,100 scooters have been out there on Seattle streets (in September 2021). Most riders used them for social and recreation functions. The second main cause was to commute. About 21% used a scooter to connect with transit.

It appears Seattleites and guests principally used the e-scooters inside the metropolis’s extra widespread hubs, such because the Metropolis Heart, Ballard, Freemont, the College District, and Alki Seashore.

E-scooters usually are not allowed to roll on metropolis sidewalks. Nonetheless, in response to the report, 69% of riders reported that they selected the place to experience based mostly on the place they felt most secure.

“Those that say they rode on the sidewalk when there have been loads of vehicles on the street have been extra prone to say they rode on the street if there have been lots of people on the sidewalk,” the report states.

11% of scooter riders in Seattle reported accidents

There are not any stories of significant accidents to pedestrians as a consequence of scooter riders on the sidewalk. About 11% of riders, nonetheless, reported accidents. A complete of two.3% of surveyed riders obtained medical consideration; 8% reported an harm however did not trouble getting medical consideration.

Most reported accidents have been minor and included “cuts, bruises, and abrasions that didn’t require medical care. This additionally included individuals hitting an ankle or shin on the scooter.”

Slippery, tough roads have been cited as components together with unhealthy lighting. Different riders cited accidents to interactions with vehicles.

“I used to be using on a street with no bike lane, and a automobile behind me determined to cross me, and was fairly near me,” one nameless survey respondent said. “I flinched and the entire scooter wobbled and I fell on the sidewalk [better than falling towards the left/road]. Hand was fairly scratched up, however higher than getting run over.”

The report revealed that 70% of riders by no means wore helmets. The usage of helmets various extensively by age, however youthful riders are much less prone to put on one. When requested causes for not sporting one riders mentioned they “weren’t wanting to hold a helmet round, not planning to make use of a scooter that day, and never proudly owning a helmet.”

In accordance with the principles of the pilot program, distributors have been required to implement a helmet distribution program and encouragement plan. Nonetheless, throughout the person survey some riders have been annoyed “a couple of perceived heavy deal with helmet use, preferring as an alternative to deal with having protected locations to experience.”

SDOT additionally carried out security methods, first time riders are required to take a security quiz. The primary experience was additionally capped at 8 mph as an alternative of 15 mph.

The report additionally revealed using geofences in an effort to tame unhealthy using and parking habits. “Geofences” use GPS expertise stopping riders from parking in some areas the place using is allowed, akin to bridges. The Alki Waterfront in West Seattle is the biggest geofenced space centered on enhancing parking habits.

This expertise additionally prevents riders in prohibited areas like inside parks or the College of Washington Campus. However riders reported that these n-riding zones have been complicated at occasions. Riders additionally mentioned “geofences could trigger unsafe conditions if scooters shutoff unexpectedly.”

Learn extra insights from the pilot program’s survey right here.