Scooters Invade San Francisco

Post date: May 03, 2018 5:50:3 PM

Scooters Invade San Francisco

By: Adelaide Brown and Ella Keker   

        If you live in or near San Francisco, you’ve probably seen the electric scooters that litter the streets. These e-scooters and e-bikes can be rented for $1 to start, and aren’t hooked to one location that they must return to (which is why you sometimes see them face down in the middle of the sidewalk). Recently, a few companies have put over 2,500 of these scooters and bikes across the U.S, including many cities in California. Although they have brought with them much enjoyment, many people are breaking the laws while riding these vehicles. There have been many complaints about civilians riding these scooters and bikes on the sidewalk, and leaving them in inadmissible locations.

        We asked students the following questions on their views of these vehicles. Here are their responses:

What is your opinion on the scooters and bikes?

“I think they are very cool because they are very cheap and I can go wherever I like.” —Sadie Brown

Would you ever use these scooters or bikes?

“Yes, because maybe if I needed to get somewhere and the bus is taking too long, I can ride one.” —Nola Derrick

“No, because they are not safe and I don’t bring a helmet with me anywhere.” —Edwin Lei

Do you think that even though some people break the law while using them, people will continue using these scooters and bikes?

“Yes, because everyone thinks they are very fun and since nobody has gotten hurt so far, people will still want to use them.” —Anonymous

        When riding these scooters, it’s easy to break the law. For example, riding a scooter on the sidewalk is not legal, yet many customers do this. Because you can leave these vehicles wherever you please, they often block entrances, which is also illegal.

        The scooters and bikes were first launched in places where tech workers were located, making them somewhat more acceptable. However, they have recently expanded into the city with little input. The best use for these dockless, shared, and cheap scooters is to increase access to easy and public transportation in areas where it is otherwise less accessible.