Brent ToderianSee the real problem?
(Cartoon via #SchoenScheisse)
Lars
Brennan Stehling@Han_Dansken @BrentToderian Cities can make room for this now popular mode of transportation. A single parking space for a car can fit multiple bikes and scooters and reduce the number of cars on the road. Most cities are embracing this transition and hsve added much more bike lanes. It makes a car much less necessary for most residents.
@brennansv @BrentToderian There is just one vital error in that argument and that is that users of these scooters are not thinking like drivers, but like pedestrians. You can assign and plan for all the designated parking spaces in the world, they will never be used. This is also why some cities, like Copenhagen, have already banned rental scooters.
@Han_Dansken @BrentToderian Users of the rentals can be identified so if the don’t leave a scooter in a safe spot they could be penalized. I’d like each scooter to be numbered like taxis so pedestrians can take photos and report problems to the rental provider. Here in SF I often see scooters locked up at the bike racks. It’s convenient. We also have many more bike lanes now, so sidewalk riding is less common.
@brennansv @BrentToderian The solution Copenhagen came up with, was to make it illegal to drive a scooter without a bike helmet but with liability on the owner of the vehicle, not the user thus making it impossible on rental companies. Other European cities are trying a solution as you describe, but with little effect.
@Han_Dansken @BrentToderian Making it impossible blocks progress. Electric scooters reduce congestion and cut carbon emissions. It’s not that hard to bring a helmet though. People do it. Many have purchased their own scooters too. They should be handled the same as bikes.
@brennansv @BrentToderian There have been some discussion on how eco-friendly these rental scooters really are, seeing they have a huge battery and a short life expentancy. Combined with how they are being treated by users, they might not be as green, as say bikes. Privately owned scooters tend to be used more carefull by their owners, so no issues there.
@Han_Dansken @BrentToderian Compare to a gas burning car and I am sure the scooter is always more environmentally friendly.
Ward Alexander 
@tupperward @Han_Dansken @BrentToderian Cities dominated by privately owned cars is one status quo we need to break and great progress has been made. Better public transit, bike share networks and scooter rentals are a great alternative to cars. I have rarely driven a car the past several years. I get around easily.
Full Report Below@brennansv @Han_Dansken @BrentToderian Scooters are small enough to be moved by non-renters. My gripe is that cities prefer eScooters over rental bikes, which are even more eco friendly
Stahldame@Han_Dansken @brennansv @BrentToderian Put the scooters on a chain, just like shopping carts. Then you can define zones where a scooter only counts as "returned" if the chain is put into a lock.
@stahldame @Han_Dansken @BrentToderian Some rental services have riders take photos of the scooter once the ride is done. It includes the location, so that can help inform riders of proper parking. I’ve even seen one which defined parking zones either based on location or ranging to a Bluetooth device at the spot.
@stahldame @Han_Dansken @BrentToderian What rental providers should do is have a bounty for reporting unsafe conditions like riding on sidewalks or causing tripping hazards. Their apps should pay users to report these problems and fine the rider who is responsible. I’ve seen them left in the middle of sidewalks.
Simon Boyne@SimonB @Han_Dansken @brennansv @BrentToderian I did not expect this t obe a technical problem. It's political, 100%.
@stahldame @SimonB @Han_Dansken @BrentToderian And legislators really need to be better informed while scooter rental companies have to be more responsible and accountable. There is a way to make this work. Many cities are doing it. If it means some customers are banned for reckless behavior so be it. Let responsible riders use this service. Safe behavior can be normalized.
@Han_Dansken @brennansv @BrentToderian Dublin's dockless bike scheme requires the user to park them probably. If they don't they are fined and eventually banned from the system. Works well. People will take the laziest option if you allow them too