Electric Scooter Rental

[Dundeemaha]

With electric scooter companies pulling out of a number of markets that introduce regulations and Omaha's posturing that it will enact more. Plus the pullback from VCs on burning cash on money-losing ventures with no path toward profitability. I don't think Omaha will see scooters again without subsidizing them or municipalizing them entirely.

[Brad]

Anyone know when the city will decide if we see scooters in 2020?

[Omahacritic]

Seems the city has bigger fish to fry at this moment in time.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I get the sense that the city will 86 the idea of Scooters..

And honestly, I have no problem with that...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Busguy2010]

Yeah sorry. It was a fun idea but ended up being way more of a problem and very little solution. Sorry the thousand hooligans ruined it for the 20 respectable riders.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Oh joy..

Unless the pandemic freezes them out, Omaha will be back for round 2 of Scooters this summer ..

The W-H story link-

https://www.omaha.com/news/local/news-t ... 84760.html

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Taco]

I do not understand when people get so up in arms about people riding scooters while we accept dangerous driving. As a frequent runner, biker, and trail user I can tell you I have never had a scooter user try to run me off the road, throw something at me, yell slurs, or swerve into me. Blaming scooters for making the roads dangerous avoids the elephant in the room for road safety when we continue to accept rampant speeding, distracted driving, and actively hostile behavior towards pedestrians from people in cars.

[skinzfan23]

I am glad that they are giving them another go round. There are some kinks to work out, but overall I think they are a good idea. I don't believe Omaha had anywhere near the amount of issues like some cities did when people "returned" them.

[Omahacritic]

The biggest problem is the “leave anywhere” system. They need docking stations to keep them off corners and just lying around ... like the bike rentals.

[S.O.Boy]

The biggest problem is the “leave anywhere” system. They need docking stations to keep them off corners and just lying around ... like the bike rentals.

Yes. I saw them blocking sidewalks often.

[Omaha Cowboy]

As a Minneapolis resident and bicyclist, I absolutely hate all of these scooters! They are everywhere and it seems that most of the riders are teenage - twenty something punks with no regard to pedestrians, bicyclists or vehicles. Bike paths, parks, streets- they are there! What's worse, is that you see them abandoned in the oddest spots around town.There was an incident in Downtown St. Paul a few weeks ago where someone smashed 50 of these scooters - I have to admit, I cracked a smile when I hear this, as bad as that sounds. Anyway, yes, people will get hurt and people will die from these. Omaha and Des Moines should count their blessings that these aren't out in full force. End of rant.

I don’t know that Scooters have hit yet in Des Moines, Iowa.. But I can tell you they ARE out in full force in Omaha. They have become a nuisance and I believe they are a fad. I’ve seen Scooters ridden pretty much everywhere in downtown Omaha and most of the time, the “rules” of ridership are not being followed..

I had relatives in from the Bay Area and Chicago the weekend after the 4th of July and they stayed at an Old Market hotel for 3 nights. I heard many a story from them, as they were strolling around the area as pedestrians, that they had to dodge scooter riders on the sidewalks and most riders were simply goofing around with the “appliance”..some taking selfies with them ..

With all due respect to those who use these Scooters the way they are intended and follow their rules of ridership, the sooner Scooters are disallowed on Omaha city passageways, the better, imo...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Quoting my post from last July, during the height of the scooter fad last summer- as my relatives from 2 of the largest metropolitan areas of the US noted, it was the one thing they all said was a negative amongst all the positives during their nearly week long visit which was specifically located in the Old Market area..

They were ALL impressed with Omaha and it’s downtown core, sans the scooter nuisance...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Greg S]

I don't really have a problem with them. I didn't see them as any worse in Omaha than the other cities I traveled to last summer that had them.

Do we know why we have a new company doing them this year?

Greg

[bigredmed1]

The biggest problem is the “leave anywhere” system. They need docking stations to keep them off corners and just lying around ... like the bike rentals.

Yes. I saw them blocking sidewalks often.

The simple way to develop that is to charge an extra $20 per rental to not dock them. Once docked, you get your $20 back. Not docked, the city gets it to pay for some college temp employee to go fetch them to a dock near by. They really did clutter a lot of places.

[Omahacritic]

The biggest problem is the “leave anywhere” system. They need docking stations to keep them off corners and just lying around ... like the bike rentals.

Yes. I saw them blocking sidewalks often.

The simple way to develop that is to charge an extra $20 per rental to not dock them. Once docked, you get your $20 back. Not docked, the city gets it to pay for some college temp employee to go fetch them to a dock near by. They really did clutter a lot of places.

I suggested something similar last year. Enforcement pays for itself.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Ding-dong the nuisance is dead..at least for now..

From today’s W-H-

“Electric scooters probably aren’t coming back to Omaha this year.

The City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 against operating agreements with Spin and Bird, the two companies that submitted proposals to serve Omaha during a second pilot program this summer and fall.”..

“Council President Chris Jerram — whose district covers much of downtown and midtown, areas that saw heavy scooter use last year — said he heard from many business owners who found the scooters to be a nuisance when they were parked outside shops or speeding by their front doors on sidewalks, which wasn't allowed.”..

The complete story link:

https://www.omaha.com/news/local/scoote ... 337ad.html

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

Oh brother. One City-Council member does a 180 one week later?..

This is very strange. Perhaps “quid pro quo” strange. Weird things going on with our city leadership these days. In any case, looks like scooters are back on the table. From today’s W-H-

“Electric, dockless scooters are back on the table in Omaha.

The City Council next month will reconsider operating agreements with scooter companies Spin and Bird after rejecting those agreements on a 4-3 vote last week. City officials have spent the last several months preparing to launch a second scooter pilot program this year.

Councilman Ben Gray, who had voted against the agreements, requested that they be reconsidered.”..

The complete story link:

https://www.omaha.com/news/local/counci ... 65.html#23

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Dundeemaha]

Gray has been going back and forth on it, was for it up until the debate then said Jerram's arguments convinced him to vote against.

My honest hope is that the scooters come back, businesses complain enough about them but they're so popular they have to stay and the city actually builds out protected bike lanes and then bike/scooter parking. Meanwhile the scooter businesses dry up because they stop getting fed vc money to burn and we're left with great bike infrastructure.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Gray has been going back and forth on it, was for it up until the debate then said Jerram's arguments convinced him to vote against.

My honest hope is that the scooters come back, businesses complain enough about them but they're so popular they have to stay and the city actually builds out protected bike lanes and then bike/scooter parking. Meanwhile the scooter businesses dry up because they stop getting fed vc money to burn and we're left with great bike infrastructure.

I find it interesting Gray did a complete 180 in one week.. But whatever his motives..

I appreciate those who support scooters.. But my opinion of them stands that they’re not necessary and are simply a fad that will fizzle out in a few years anyway..

If they do come back this year, the test ends sometime in November..so they’ll be yanked from the streets again.. We’ll see if Ben Gray’s “revelation” allows the scooter test to become active this summer...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

Likely more than a fad.

But that’s why you do test runs. Although, it will be interesting to see wha5 changes from last year.

Just think, with the virus lockdowns, 1000’s of those scooters have been locked away in warehouses somewhere.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’d hate to be an employee at one of these Scooter rental companies looking for stable, long term employment to hang my hat and retire from.. I honestly think most will be out of business within the next 5 or so years..

Then it’s on to the next fad “flavor of the month”...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bigredmed1]

I’d hate to be an employee at one of these Scooter rental companies looking for stable, long term employment to hang my hat and retire from.. I honestly think most will be out of business within the next 5 or so years..

Then it’s on to the next fad “flavor of the month”...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Be lucky to get 5 years.

Cities are looking at COVID costs, riot costs, and lack of tax base. Having to pay someone to go around and pick these up and put them where they belong is an easy cost to get rid off. The scooters are not particularly popular and no one will miss them. Bet more on 2-3 years.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’d hate to be an employee at one of these Scooter rental companies looking for stable, long term employment to hang my hat and retire from.. I honestly think most will be out of business within the next 5 or so years..

Then it’s on to the next fad “flavor of the month”...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Be lucky to get 5 years.

Cities are looking at COVID costs, riot costs, and lack of tax base. Having to pay someone to go around and pick these up and put them where they belong is an easy cost to get rid off. The scooters are not particularly popular and no one will miss them. Bet more on 2-3 years.

That 2-3 year time frame wouldn’t surprise me at all.. The majority of folks won’t miss them and in the big picture, they’re unnecessary imho..

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

I’d hate to be an employee at one of these Scooter rental companies looking for stable, long term employment to hang my hat and retire from.. I honestly think most will be out of business within the next 5 or so years..

Then it’s on to the next fad “flavor of the month”...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Be lucky to get 5 years.

Cities are looking at COVID costs, riot costs, and lack of tax base. Having to pay someone to go around and pick these up and put them where they belong is an easy cost to get rid off. The scooters are not particularly popular and no one will miss them. Bet more on 2-3 years.

There are some heavy hitter investors in some of these companies. They don’t chase fads.

Scooters do not cost the city, except maybe loss of gasoline sales tax. Basically, the companies hire contract workers as “bounty” hunters. These folk drive around at night and pick up scooters, charge them, clean them, then place them on corners the next day.

Will they be around in 5 years? My guess is you will see something different, but based on the trials and research being done today.

[nebugeater]

Scooters are returning with no detail on when or what adjustments are being made to change the vote.


https://www.ketv.com/article/scooters-r ... m/33316570

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well, all we know at this point, the scooter contracts just run through November with this phase 2 plan..

December can’t come fast enough in this regard...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Busguy2010]

Really the last thing we need at this point. Just going to add to the chaos.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Really the last thing we need at this point. Just going to add to the chaos.

I agree with you. Honestly, they’re unnecessary imo and I stand by that they’re just a “passing fancy” fad which will fizzle out in a few years anyway..

I just don’t see the point of pushing scooters.. Especially given our current pandemic situation.. But, the city has given their blessing ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[nebugeater]

so what kind of party favors were given to get the votes to change?

[Omaha Cowboy]

so what kind of party favors were given to get the votes to change?

Ha! That’s where cronyism and quid pro quo down at city hall come in..

Imagine the possibilities, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Uffda]

so what kind of party favors were given to get the votes to change?

I thought I saw in an article that he got assurances that there would be more scooters in the North Omaha area and also was reassured about how they were going to 'sanitized', but I can't find it now.

[Omahacritic]

Scooters out and about. No real issues, except it’s adding to clutter on the sidewalks. Makes it tougher to maintain social distancing.

But they are being used. No abuses of note.

[Busguy2010]

I went on a stroll Downtown tonight and saw plenty of scooters randomly strewn about. Saw some people using them, too. Definitely does not help the pandemic situation, and I am still way over annoyed to see them back.

[yard salad]

I have never used the scooters around Omaha, but I used a Spin scooter in Salt Lake while on vacation. It was surprisingly fun but also terrifying in traffic or on crowded and crumbling sidewalks.

I can see the appeal for tourists, especially young people moving between entertainment areas, but without helmets or serious cycling infrastructure, they are not equal to other modes of transportation. For one, they are not cost competitive with an Uber and they're at least as dangerous as a bike, if not much more so given the inexperienced / inebriated demographic they target.

[Athomsfere]

I have never used the scooters around Omaha, but I used a Spin scooter in Salt Lake while on vacation. It was surprisingly fun but also terrifying in traffic or on crowded and crumbling sidewalks.

I can see the appeal for tourists, especially young people moving between entertainment areas, but without helmets or serious cycling infrastructure, they are not equal to other modes of transportation. For one, they are not cost competitive with an Uber and they're at least as dangerous as a bike, if not much more so given the inexperienced / inebriated demographic they target.

I've been nearly clipped by one or two on my bike over the years on my bike. I think they just need to follow the same rules as a bike. Announce your passing for example.

Overall, I'm happy for every car trip and uber not needed. So I support these.

[Brad]

I don't mind the scooters and we even rented them a few weeks ago. Had fun riding them for a shot time. FYI, don't take them on the brick streets...

My biggest complaint is still people riding them on sidewalks and also recklessly. I was also trying to photograph the Farnam Hotel last night and there were a bunch of big black circles on the new pavement and I assumed they were from scooters.

[Athomsfere]

I don't mind the scooters and we even rented them a few weeks ago. Had fun riding them for a shot time. FYI, don't take them on the brick streets...

My biggest complaint is still people riding them on sidewalks and also recklessly. I was also trying to photograph the Farnam Hotel last night and there were a bunch of big black circles on the new pavement and I assumed they were from scooters.

I think this is all fair. But the blame in my opinion falls on the city, and not the scooters. It's hard to feel safe on the streets on a scooter.

Regardless of the law, the scooters should be doing what they feel is safest.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I still contend these scooters are a fad which will die out eventually..

I won’t be sorry to see them go…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[yard salad]

I still contend these scooters are a fad which will die out eventually..

I won’t be sorry to see them go…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

As much as I want to agree, I think they will be with us in some form or another for the foreseeable future. Maybe not in every city, maybe not even in Omaha. I was downtown for an outdoor concert on a Friday night and watched people use the scooters every few minutes. Again, I don't think they can compete with taxis or even city bike shares, but I think they have a niche that can make them profitable in certain places. It doesn't hurt their case that the companies have deep VC-funded pockets and can run at a loss forever. For instance, I think Lime is owned by Uber, which has never turned a profit and apparently never has to.

[Busguy2010]

I still contend these scooters are a fad which will die out eventually..
I won’t be sorry to see them go…
Ciao..LiO…Peace

As much as I want to agree, I think they will be with us in some form or another for the foreseeable future.

I totally agree. I do not like them one bit, but I also feel they will stick around for a while. I'd think they have to go away during the winter, but I'd bet they will be coming an going for years. I hate them. I understand the idea is just to use them for transportation. A bike you don't have to pedal. The idea is great, but in practice it doesn't work. People don't heed traffic rules, they don't look out for themselves or others, its just "O KooL, iM RidInG An ElectRiK sKoOteR" for the majority of what I've seen. Plus they get strewn on any and every corner. If they had docks, maybe I'd be cool with it.

[Athomsfere]

I still contend these scooters are a fad which will die out eventually..
I won’t be sorry to see them go…
Ciao..LiO…Peace

As much as I want to agree, I think they will be with us in some form or another for the foreseeable future.

I totally agree. I do not like them one bit, but I also feel they will stick around for a while. I'd think they have to go away during the winter, but I'd bet they will be coming an going for years. I hate them. I understand the idea is just to use them for transportation. A bike you don't have to pedal. The idea is great, but in practice it doesn't work. People don't heed traffic rules, they don't look out for themselves or others, its just "O KooL, iM RidInG An ElectRiK sKoOteR" for the majority of what I've seen. Plus they get strewn on any and every corner. If they had docks, maybe I'd be cool with it.

I think this is the crux of it.

1) American cities are car-centric
2) Scooters are sort of supposed to be operated as cars, but aren't fast or safe enough
3) You just leave them any and everywhere which, for my block means the sidewalks around my building are littered with them.

To me, we solve for 1 and 3; and 2 would solve itself.