Title
Ordinance Amending Chapter 16 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances with Respect to Scooters
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: Citywide
Public Hearing:
Advertising Date/By:
Contact 1 and Phone: Adam Fischer 373-2861
Contact 2 and Phone: Chris Spencer 433-7218
PURPOSE:
The City of Greensboro has been requested to consider amending Chapter 16 of City Code to enable the operation of standup-electric scooters on City streets. The amendment would allow standup electric scooter operation within bicycle lanes but would prohibit their use on sidewalks. The maximum speed of an electric scooter will be 20 MPH. A new ordinance would also be established that would allow the City to issue permits for the operation of a Pilot Standup Electric Scooter Share Program. The permit includes a number of requirements relating to safety and operation that the operators must comply with, including appropriate parking of scooters within public right of way, data sharing requirements, safety/maintenance protocols, customer service procedures, number of scooters allowed.. etc (see attached Permit Requirements). Permits will be issued by the Transportation Department. The attached Ordinance must be approved to allow for the use of scooters.
BACKGROUND:
This past year has seen the exponential growth of shared electric scooters nationwide with cities around the country dealing with and reacting to their rapid deployment. These electric scooters have proven very popular wherever they have been deployed but do create a variety of challenges that communities are trying to address.
Lime conducted some limited tests on UNCG campus earlier this year, but in August, Greensboro saw a marked increase in scooters with the arrival of Bird Scooters. While these standup electric scooters can provide a valuable alternative to a personal automobile for short distance transportation, it is recommended that the City enact legislation that would allow their operation un...
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