Some residents have criticized the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station for not addressing the issue of people illegally riding motorized scooters on city sidewalks. However, the station, in fact, has been ticketing those violating state laws.
Data provided by Sheriff’s Station Captain Edward Ramirez shows that 72 citations were issued between July 1, 2018, and July 31, 2019, for motorized scooter violations. Of those, 22 were for driving on the sidewalk, 38 were for riding a scooter in the street without a helmet, and nine were for driving on streets where there was no bike lane and the speed limit was more than 25 mph. Scooters can be driven on roads with a maximum 35 mph speed limit only if the city specifically allows that, which West Hollywood doesn’t. Two tickets were for driving scooters with defective brakes and one was for driving without a valid driver’s license. A sidewalk-riding citation is $197, not including court processing costs or other fees.
That is a relatively large number of citations given the size of West Hollywood and the fact that the city has banned the rental of dockless electric scooters within the city limits. It is legal to rent them outside the city and ride them into WeHo. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Los Angeles Police Department has written 800 tickets to electric scooter riders between January of 2018 and mid-July, and cited them for more than 900 violations. The Times reported that the average number of active electric scooters in Los Angeles, where such vehicles have been legalized under a pilot program, was 21,000.
Where people PARK e-scooters is as bad as how they RIDE them. They’re parked blocking sidewalks, driveways, corner curbs where people in wheelchairs need to cross, on private property front yards, and parking meter curbs so passengers can’t get out of the car. Police should ticket scooter companies, who in turn can bill the credit card on file for the last rider. I personally like the idea of the scooters as alternative form of transportation, but serious steps need to be taken to teach basic manners.
Just out of curiosity, I wonder how many pedestrians have actually been run over by scooters? I know everybody says the scooter almost ran me over, this almost happened, that almost happened, but did it really happen? Before we start cracking down on things that almost happened maybe we should start cracking down on the animals that are driving in West Hollywood. San Vicente btwn SM and Sunset is basically a race track. The Norma Triangle is a residential neighborhood but yet people are driving 40 mph on a regular basis. Stop signs are a joke! West Hollywood Sheriff Department… Read more »
These are uninsured unlicensed vehicles that ride on sidewalks weave through traffic on the street to sidewalks and can have and will collide with unassuming pedestrians using the sidewalks to crosswalks and having their as well as my own way of commuting which is by foot and by buses. I can’t ecen wait at a bus stop without being mowed down by Mutiple 8 electric scooters (which are vehicles) in one hour on a day I waited for a buses at at Fairfax and crescent heights bus lines on Santa Monica. I can’t know or anticipate even if they want… Read more »
Any time I see someone using a e-scooter,it’s usually operated illegally by a person too young (younger than 18 years of age),wearing no helmet,riding on a sidewalks, not observant of the right of way for pedestrians,etc.
Sorry, but until people start following the law operating these e-scooters,I will continue to support West Hollywood’s ban on these devices.
Entrapment… provide a bicycle lane the whole length of SM. Take away park spots on one side if you have to… peoples lives are at RISK. These scooter are part of the culture of this city and should be embraced. It’s really not right. And more commerce would come to weho if you allowed sharing and “drop-off” designated zones painted near corners like dtla si they are neatly parked. Come on weho…. open your eyes a little to this. “Pocket parks with e-scooter pickup zones.”
They may be part of the dirty, chaotic and dangerous sidewalk “culture” on Fairfax and Melrose, but that’s not Weho. In fact, scooters are banned in West Hollywood. But the bars are still packed, the hotels are full, restaurants are thriving and all things considered, pedestrian life is vibrant and easy. No scooter culture here, let’s keep it that way.
Once upon a time bicycles used friendly little bells. They still do in Europe. But here in LA and West Hollywood people believe they have become scooter rockets often taking aim at unwitting pedestrians just to give them a scare. Hopefully that’s not too cynical a statement but otherwise these folks would appear to be totally brainless and devoid of responsibility and compassion. What a great ethic introduced by Lime, Zoom or whatever tricky, trendy name they embrace along with a lawless mentality. Someone mentioned having city trucks nightly confiscate the abandoned scooters sending them to the crusher. Great idea… Read more »
72 tickets in ONE YEAR???! Why is everyone applauding this?? They could give 72 tickets in ONE DAY if they stationed themselves ON THE SIDEWALK just from San Vicente down to LaCienega. I agree there has been a great reduced number of users/riders in the WeHo area of which I just stated, but they (illegal, rude and inconsiderate riders) are still running rampant on our sidewalks where we walk….AND THOSE DAMN SCOOTERS GO FAST and can easily injure innocent pedestrians and dogs on leashes!
Touche!
I hope they crack down even more. For some reason the majority of those riding these things are very rude and expect some sort of immunity from established traffic laws. Running lights, right hand turns right into traffic without stopping, no helmet, cutting cars off to cross to the on coming traffic. Somebody is going to seriously get hurt. Only because of the danger factor get rid of them.
Right on!
Glad to see the rules enforced. One may not think of 72 tickets as enough but it’s 72 enforcements that will tell a friend. I’d like to know how many citations are issued to people who tow their dogs through supermarkets with no enforcement – the other day at pavilions I saw a cart run into a leash and the owner yell at the old woman to watch where she is going – the guys leash was 4 feet long and took up the whole aisle.
Stay on topic Larry…….But yeah, the dogs at the Pavilions Dog Park is ridiculous.
Some of us think it’s absurd to have these banned in our city. Being a person who is not fortunate enough to have a car at the moment, this would be a much more cost efficient way to travel to and from work. I live and work in Weho and am a courteous and responsible citizen. I find it sad that some people can’t move from their “old thinking”. While you are at it, why don’t you ban dogs from our sidewalks. ( I was attacked 3 times in Weho this summer.)
Hey Jon, since you’re fortunate enough to live and work in Weho, try walking to work. You’ll save money and it’s good for you.
Clarification to my earlier post, “This is great news!” I say that because my impression was that the Sheriff was doing nothing…..So 72 citations in one year was a surprise, as would 10 or 12. But it’s clear that this effort is a drop in the bucket to what pedestrians see and are subjected to multiple times a day. I call on the city and the Sheriff’s Dept to octuple the number of citations and show residents and visitors that West Hollywood cares about the safety of pedestrians and will protect their confidence in the walking environment……It’s the last place… Read more »