West Hollywood City Council will decide the future of its dockless micromobility pilot program, the test run of electric bikes and scooters on city streets that has proven to be as painful as it is popular since its launch in July 2021.
Nearly 300,000 trips on e-bikes and scooters were logged between the start of the program and this past August, an average of about 30,000 miles traveled per month. But they’re also generating about 70 complaints per month, and the general public is growing frustrated in dealing with a new mode of transportation that is still evolving as it shares our roads and, yes, even sidewalks.
With the pilot program set to expire Dec. 31, the city has laid two options out for City Council to debate at tonight’s meeting: extend it or ban it.
The extension proposed would add another six months to the trial run, and it would require enhanced safety technology in all devices (e.g., sidewalk detection censors and virtual parking stations) by Jan. 1. The Block by Block security ambassadors have already been charged with helping to remove scooters in the public right of way.
With infrastructure already in place across the city, two full-time city staffers dedicated to the program and thousands of regular riders depending on it, the micromobility program doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy tonight. But that could change in six months if the city isn’t able to make scooters, cars and pedestrians get along better.
[…] urban transportation, but without a plan to integrate them onto WeHo’s already jam-packed roads, chaos ensued and animosity followed. New technology that helps keep them off sidewalks is a step in the right […]
I understand the issue that people have with scooters, and have had my own incidents encountering them on the sidewalks. But the number that they have been used indicates a need for additional transportation options for residents which cannot be ignored. First, why can’t they be programmed for a slower maximum speed? That would likely reduce the abuse and danger on the sidewalks. Second, given how prevalent scooters are used across the country, if not the world, surely there must people learnings from how other cities are regulating them?
Proper law enforcement and increasing the penalties for illegal use of scooters would solve most of the problems with the scooter drivers. Take away their driver’s licenses and raise their insurance premiums after offenses, and then we’ll see how it goes.
Everyone I know hates those things. Ban, Ban, Ban!
I hope they make the right decision to NOT ban scooters.
Don’t just ban the scooters. Burn them.
In most instances introduction of something like scooters would necessitate a thorough study prior to introduction. Not so much with Weho Staff who continually puts the cart before the horse and falls into a can of worms to boot provoking unnecessary controversy and inconvenience/injury to residents it claims to value. The staff continues cooperate with a lack of good sense and responsibility direction.
Well said.
As I was walking on Sunset one day a few months ago, a young man was riding a scooter on the sidewalk with his dog trotting alongside him. The young man yelled “get the hell out of my way!” to me. This is the attitude 99% of them have. Here I am, an older disabled woman being told by some arrogant young prick on a scooter, to get the hell out of his way! West Hollywood is not a playground for young people. It is a city filled with people of all ages and from every walk of life. We… Read more »
What data do you have, two actually confirm that that is 99% of peoples attitudes? I am really sorry this happened to you, but you’re just making that number up.
Perhaps I should have said “many (or most)” of the scooter riders rather than 99%. But, I’ll give you another example of their arrogance and entitled attitude. I was walking on San Vicente to the pro choice rally in WeHo Patk, and a scooter rider came towards me on the sidewalk. I said to him “could you please ride on the street,” and he said to me “ F**k you” I didn’t say it in a mean way. If you know me, and I don’t know if you do because you don’t give your identity, you know that I am… Read more »
Mikie, I do not know you, but my last name is Matthews, and I’ve been a member of this community for over 23 years. I’m very sorry that you had these negative experiences, and that people can be such ***holes. I have nothing but respect for people with disabilities (my sister has a major, major one), and the elderly, or anyone with mobility issues. I just wish we could all stop stereotyping people because of one, or a handful of negative experiences. This re-used graphic on this article, could just as easily be complimented with someone riding in the bike… Read more »
You were correct the first time. Just ignore the virtue signalers.
I always ask, very politely, scooter riders to please not ride on the sidewalk as it is dangerous. The most common reply is the same on you got, not sure of the percentages but that is the most common reply. Anyone who votes for Disability Awareness Month AND votes to keep these nuisances is beyond hypocritical. On a personal note, don’t listen to this Randy person or let him get under your skin; he’s a troll who is best ignored, the thing he hates the most.
Just because I disagreed with the assertion of 99%, does not make me a troll. Far from it. I’ve lived in this neighborhood longer than most of the people who have posted in this thread. I would guess. But I would not claim to say that I’ve lived here longer than 99%, based on a hunch.
Forever entitled to be right!
Sure, whatever. I’m expressing an unpopular viewpoint (in this forum, at least). And who are you? Based on your sentence, I assume that you are tracking my comments?
Never mind… I don’t care.
No, I’m trying to be the voice of reason, from people making dramatic statements that are based on nothing. No data. I was a math major. I trust data. Not peoples’ own personal experiences, to make grandiose statements, such as these. I am being contrarian, and if you can show me data, that shows me that 99% of the people who ride on these things act this way, I would be happy to see it.
But I do wonder who this is responding. I have a good guess.
First step is logic. There may or may not be necessarily data needed after the confusion if reached.
No, he’s not. What proof do you have that he’s incorrect? I’ve had the same experience with these clowns on public sidewalks on Sunset no less. And they do the same thing and have an attitude like you’re in their way.
It’s time to finally pull the plug on these pubic safety nuisances and ban scooters in West Hollywood. Having numerous witnessed homeless people throw the scooters against cars, as well as folks with mobility issues having to risk their lives going through to the street to avoid a scooter blocking the sidewalk, continuing this folly for the benefit of a handful of people is just ridiculous. Let’s end this insanity and get these mobile menaces of our streets.
I don’t know why this is even in question. WeHo is known as “the walking city”, with the operative word being walking. With these scooters it is now, walk at your own risk!
The outrage at scooters is quite silly. Scooters help get CONSUMERS all around our city and ending them will impact the local economy. If people break the rules, they should be ticketed, fined, etc… but people break the rules in cars and we don’t take their cars away.
I will be asking the Council to allow scooters in WeHo and will be encouraging plenty of others to do the same.
This is the same argument people that are all for everyone owning assault rifles make FYI. “Cars kill far more people and we don’t take those away.” If responsible locals want an electric scooter, buy one for $300. It pays for itself on only a few rides. The vast majority of riders are tourists on joyrides not respecting locals or the law.
That is so ridiculously dramatic. You are seriously comparing scooters to assault rifles?
You have zero data to know who are using these things. Zero.
Not actually. It is the exact argument used by the NRA. “Cars kill more people than assault rifles, but we don’t ban them.” Here is your argument:
“The outrage at assault rifles is quite silly. Assault rifles help protect families and we have 2nd amendment rights. If people commit a crime with one, they should be held accountable… but people break the rules in cars and we don’t take their cars away.”
Joyriding tourists don’t respect the city because the city planners and willful residents don’t respect it either. 🙄🙄
(A) This isn’t about cars.
(B) Weho businesses will be equally packed or empty without scooters.
(C) Human powered bicycles, good transportation and exercise.
(D) Buy a scooter. $125 at Target. Save money.
Oh yes, CONSUMERS. I was just going to stop by Kreiss on my rental scooter and pick up a sofa on my way home from Pavillions but with all the groceries strapped to my handlebar I had to make a second trip.
Why can’t we get a referendum on the ballot?