Electric Scooter Rental

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:01 pm

Haven't seen them with my own eyes yet, but heard that the rental electric scooter trend may have hit DTO. They are dockless and have been kind of an issue for other cities in terms of clutter and legality on sidewalks and roads.

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 7:22 pm

Exciting if true, it would be great if Omaha took a pro-active approach to this.

We could take 3-5 parking spaces in the old market, split them in to a motorcycle space and bike/scooter parking. Sprinkle that a few times throughout the DT core and you've got a great little addition to multi-modal transit without too much clutter.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:17 pm

Dundeemaha wrote: Thu Aug 09, 2018 7:22 pm Exciting if true, it would be great if Omaha took a pro-active approach to this.

We could take 3-5 parking spaces in the old market, split them in to a motorcycle space and bike/scooter parking. Sprinkle that a few times throughout the DT core and you've got a great little addition to multi-modal transit without too much clutter.

What you said. Excellent way to tie north downtown and the old market etc...

Trips · Post by **Trips** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:30 pm

I love using Bird's and am signed up to work with them when they come here. I wish Omaha would get in front of this as it will cause problems when they come here. Overall I loved the service but most likely broke some laws in the process.

buildomaha · Post by **buildomaha** » Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:52 pm

These scooters have become very controversial in cities like SF.

Trips · Post by **Trips** » Mon Aug 13, 2018 8:15 pm

Most California cities are cracking down hard on them. They are impounding them by the hundreds with the companies having to pay about $200 to get them back. When that was not working they started giving fines to the riders with no helmets of $100-$200 and impounding the scooters. Beverly Hills just increased the helmet fine to $500 and banned them for six months. I will give them credit as a Drunk/High rider is only fined $250 where in Nebraska it would be like a DUI for driving a car.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Aug 16, 2018 1:21 am

Was in San Diego for the last several days and those scooters are freaking everywhere downtown. Just sitting, littered everywhere. Looks like |expletive| and with the number of drunk Padres fans spilling out of Petco on Sunday I'm surprised nobody got flattened on the sidewalk. Up towards La Jolla it's the same thing except with these yellow bikes strewn everywhere.

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 1:21 pm

Great news that the city is being proactive about this after all.

https://www.ketv.com/amp/article/electr ... a/25925916

Heartland B-Cycle is offering to partner with the companies as well.

Trips · Post by **Trips** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 10:52 pm

Yes they are being proactive to make sure they get paid. They are doing nothing to regulate the issues that come with them. They need geofenced parking areas downtown.

Based on 216,000 total rides
Some quick math based on 100 scooters/company. 4 people take a ride for 2 miles each on all 100 scooters.
Rider pays: $10 x 100 scooters = $1,000
Juicer/Charger = $500 expense
$.50/day city fee = $50
License Fee = $55.50
Total Profit: $395.50/day = $71,190/6 months
$.05/ride city fee: $3,600
100 scooters @ $590 = $59,000
6 Month Profit: $8,590 / company

That would leave each scooter with 1,440 miles and at that point they are pretty much junked if they were not destroyed before that.

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 9:14 pm

Well there's tons of parking downtown. Convert some car spaces to scooters and bicycles, cars can go in the garages that sit 1/2 empty all the time.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 3:01 pm

As long as the number of scooters remains reasonable, it shouldn't be an issue.

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:58 pm

It is OK for a scooter rider to ride around in downtown traffic without a helmet but not a motorcycle rider.

Trips · Post by **Trips** » Tue Apr 23, 2019 9:35 pm

Where are my Limes and Spins? They were scheduled for mid to late April. I am really surprised the city chose Spin but I guess being owned by Ford goes a long ways.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Thu Apr 25, 2019 9:15 pm

Trips wrote: Tue Apr 23, 2019 9:35 pm Where are my Limes and Spins? They were scheduled for mid to late April. I am really surprised the city chose Spin but I guess being owned by Ford goes a long ways.

On the city council agenda next week.

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Sat May 04, 2019 2:19 am

Looks like they'll arrive by mid next week.

https://www.omaha.com/money/electric-sc ... 9889c.html

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:18 pm

1500 supposed to be available tomorrow.

This is kind of fuzzy, but the gold areas are no ride zones, supposed to know by GPS. The green dots are designated park zones, supposed to take a picture of your park job after your ride, not sure if they wont end your ride until you post or what.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:35 pm

Yeah when you hit the end ride button on your phone it asks you to take a picture before the ride is considered finished. Not sure if the meter is still running during that time or not.

Disappointed that the river is off limits.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue May 07, 2019 10:54 pm

Not an option I’ll be using..but glad to see downtown have this alternative...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed May 08, 2019 10:51 am

iamjacobm wrote: Tue May 07, 2019 9:18 pm 1500 supposed to be available tomorrow.

This is kind of fuzzy, but the gold areas are no ride zones, supposed to know by GPS. The green dots are designated park zones, supposed to take a picture of your park job after your ride, not sure if they wont end your ride until you post or what.

Up to 1500 approved, not a sure number.

Bet it will start with a LOT less.

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed May 08, 2019 2:42 pm

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Tue May 07, 2019 9:35 pm
Disappointed that the river is off limits.

Agreed. It seems like they are pushing these only as a mode of transportation than a fun way to explore the City, when it can be both. Not having access or the ability to ride them on the riverfront is really disappointing, particularly when there are wide enough pedestrian walkways and (usually) not many people using them.

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed May 08, 2019 3:35 pm

Sounds like the real number of scooters, at least to start with, is 200.

https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Elect ... F2g_K1WCpo

...................Electric scooters will be available to rent for people in downtown and midtown Omaha starting on Friday.

The cost to rent the scooters is $2 or $3 for a 10-minute ride.

A six-month pilot program will place up to 200 smartphone-rented scooters through November........................

Note: A previous version of this story stated the scooters would be available Wednesday and that there would be 1,500 of them. A press release from Lime gave updated details.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Fri May 10, 2019 5:44 pm

ita wrote: Wed May 08, 2019 2:42 pm
TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Tue May 07, 2019 9:35 pm
Disappointed that the river is off limits.
Agreed. It seems like they are pushing these only as a mode of transportation than a fun way to explore the City, when it can be both. Not having access or the ability to ride them on the riverfront is really disappointing, particularly when there are wide enough pedestrian walkways and (usually) not many people using them.

Yeah, it seems like they are squelching too many opportunities for success , including tourism, with such large popular places designated as off-limits before the scooters even hit the streets. The rental fees seem kind of high to me too. I hope they eventually offer scooters for sale or offer a prorated reduced fee for people who use them often. I guess there is nothing stopping a person from buying one of their own, assuming they have a place to keep/charge it while they are not riding. That is kind of nice to not have to worry about where to keep it after you ride, but there is no guarantee you'll have one on hand to complete your return ride when you need it. Unless the companies can deliver one to you on short notice, or you just walk until you find one.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sat May 11, 2019 1:08 am

Electronic scooter launch delayed while Mayor Stothert seeks answers on no-go zones in Omaha

https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/electr ... 69224.html

ita · Post by **ita** » Sat May 11, 2019 3:03 am

Uffda wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 1:08 am Electronic scooter launch delayed while Mayor Stothert seeks answers on no-go zones in Omaha

https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/electr ... 69224.html

I am glad they clarified the no go zones. You can actually ride through them, just can't park them in those areas.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Sat May 11, 2019 6:32 am

Ha I like that they felt they needed to clarify that you can’t dump your scooter in the river after you’re done riding it.

Sounds like a policy that comes from experience.

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Sat May 11, 2019 11:57 am

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 6:32 am Ha I like that they felt they needed to clarify that you can’t dump your scooter in the river after you’re done riding it.

Sounds like a policy that comes from experience.

You get some teenagers hanging around downtown at 2:30 AM in the middle of the night and nobody is around.........and a few too many beers........and were going to find out if those scooters float baby! If the Gene Leahy had not been drained some of them would of ended up in there for sure. Maybe kids nowadays are not like we were and would never do that.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Sat May 11, 2019 2:02 pm

GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 11:57 am
TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 6:32 am Ha I like that they felt they needed to clarify that you can’t dump your scooter in the river after you’re done riding it.

Sounds like a policy that comes from experience.
You get some teenagers hanging around downtown at 2:30 AM in the middle of the night and nobody is around.........and a few too many beers........and were going to find out if those scooters float baby! If the Gene Leahy had not been drained some of them would of ended up in there for sure. Maybe kids nowadays are not like we were and would never do that.

If they carry them to the river I guess. In order to ride a scooter you must unlock it with your phone, which requires your credit card number and billing information. So if you dump one in the river they’ll know exactly where to find you and can charge you for it.

They also have people charge scooters during the night. Anyone can sign up to be a charger. You take the scooter to your house, set it out the next morning, and they give you money for the effort. If anything that would be the greater problem. Scooter hunting gets a little aggressive some places.

Trips · Post by **Trips** » Mon May 13, 2019 9:57 pm

So the mayor wants to ban the scooters from everywhere that people would want to use them? The Old Market (10th - 13th, Harney - Jackson), UNO, UNMC and Creighton (All of Campus), Riverfront, Blackstone, Memorial Park. You could not ride the bus and ride the last mile to a lot of downtown businesses.

Isn't it illegal to ride a motorized vehicle on trails anyways? Are they also shutting down BCycle and their electric bikes?

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue May 14, 2019 9:37 pm

Sounds like it's moving forward. The Mayor is going to give it the green light:

https://www.ketv.com/article/mayor-auth ... a/27471685

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Wed May 15, 2019 3:11 am

What variables are going to be used to judge this pilot plan?

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed May 15, 2019 1:26 pm

I noticed a few of these in Aksarben Village this morning on the bike racks outside Beacon Hills.

Post by **Brad** » Wed May 15, 2019 1:35 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 1:26 pm I noticed a few of these in Aksarben Village this morning on the bike racks outside Beacon Hills.

Midtown Crossing posted a photo of them in Midtown crossing this morning too.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Wed May 15, 2019 1:54 pm

Limes are here.

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed May 15, 2019 3:00 pm

OWH has a pretty good FAQ concerning these scooters. I am guessing most people driving in these areas are going to start hating these more than bicyclists. The scooters can only get up to 15 miles an hour, and without dedicated bike lanes in a lot of these areas, that means lane sharing with cars and trucks.

https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/q-a-wh ... fa10a.html

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed May 15, 2019 3:21 pm

They also showed up at Blue Cross this morning.

20190515_095636.jpg

muszical · Post by **muszical** » Thu May 16, 2019 4:44 am

ita wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:00 pm OWH has a pretty good FAQ concerning these scooters. I am guessing most people driving in these areas are going to start hating these more than bicyclists. The scooters can only get up to 15 miles an hour, and without dedicated bike lanes in a lot of these areas, that means lane sharing with cars and trucks.

https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/q-a-wh ... fa10a.html

Day 1.... Almost in accident with 2 seperate scooter drivers in different areas of Benson. One weaving all over the road and the other just blew a stop sign and almost turned head on into me. Already strongly dislike. Neither had a helmet either.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu May 16, 2019 5:22 pm

Yeah, I have a feeling as soon as an accident which involves one of these scooters where a person or persons become critically injured (or worse), this entire scooter idea will get shelved...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

stabone99 · Post by **stabone99** » Thu May 16, 2019 5:27 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 5:22 pm Yeah, I have a feeling as soon as an accident which involves one of these scooters where a person or persons become critically injured (or worse), this entire scooter idea will get shelved...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Guess we should ban cars too then!

Injuries will certainly happen just as it does with cars, bikes, etc. I'd argue you'll likely be hurt less than if you crash a bike or car. Is there even a helmet law for bikes here?

Post by **nebugeater** » Thu May 16, 2019 5:32 pm

stabone99 wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 5:27 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 5:22 pm Yeah, I have a feeling as soon as an accident which involves one of these scooters where a person or persons become critically injured (or worse), this entire scooter idea will get shelved...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
Guess we should ban cars too then! Injuries will certainly happen just as it does with cars, bikes, etc. I'd argue you'll likely be hurt less than if you crash a bike or car. Is there even a helmet law for bikes here?

The streets are designed for cars. Not Scooters. To drive a car you are required to have at a insurance. You pay fuel tax to build and maintain the roads. Lets level the playing field and then discuss if where they fit in.

stabone99 · Post by **stabone99** » Thu May 16, 2019 5:43 pm

nebugeater wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 5:32 pm
stabone99 wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 5:27 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 5:22 pm Yeah, I have a feeling as soon as an accident which involves one of these scooters where a person or persons become critically injured (or worse), this entire scooter idea will get shelved...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
Guess we should ban cars too then! Injuries will certainly happen just as it does with cars, bikes, etc. I'd argue you'll likely be hurt less than if you crash a bike or car. Is there even a helmet law for bikes here?
The streets are designed for cars. Not Scooters. To drive a car you are required to have at a insurance. You pay fuel tax to build and maintain the roads. Lets level the playing field and then discuss if where they fit in.

Is that any different than bikes? I'd also argue neither a bike nor a scooter has the impact on roads that vehicles do.