Electric Scooter Rental

[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

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.

It’s interesting. I just got back in town after spending 4 days in Dallas, TX visiting family/friends. I spent quite a bit of time in their downtown core and several of the cool neighborhoods and districts that surround it..Not once, did I see anyone riding a scooter..nor did I even see a scooter cluttering a sidewalk.. I don’t doubt they’re there in Big D, but the entire time i spent in its urban core, I saw ZERO people riding scooters.. It was refreshing to see..

Here in a smaller (by comparison) metro like the Big O, I see them cluttering sidewalks and street corners..people recklessly riding them on sidewalks causing people who actually enjoy walking in our core, have to haphazardly dodge out of their way etc etc..

I’ll stand by my “Fad” opinion. I’ve said it on the forum since summer of 2019, scooters will likely flame out after 4 or 5 years. I’ll throw 2020 out of the pitch count..but I think once we round into 2024ish, the scooter craze will pass..and imo, hopefully so..

People seemed happy and content in a nearly 8 million population metro like DFW, not riding scooters around in the Dallas downtown core. I’d say in 1 million population Omaha, we will hopefully build toward that content-ness..

This is my opinion of course. I know many others here have no issue with them, could care less if they’re here or not, or actually love them..

I fall into scooters being a nuisance and a distraction to people, the vast majority who don’t or won’t use them- which takes away from their enjoyment of our core..and that concerns me a bit. Considering there is a current 1 billion $ plus cluster of development investments either underway or proposed to be underway in our core- stretching from Saddle Creek Rd to the riverfront…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Big E]

Hey, scooters don't cause accidents or clutter up corners. People do.

https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city ... gram-halt/

[Omaha Cowboy]

Hey, scooters don't cause accidents or clutter up corners. People do.

https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city ... gram-halt/

At least this explains why I didn’t see scooters anywhere while I was in Big D..

Omaha should follow suit…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

Whether it's a fad or not is one thing. I tend to agree there actually.
I'd actually look more towards Seattle as what's the right choice for us. If they kill their programs then it isn't going to make it here.

Dallas is, well as great as Dallas is for some things, their urban planning is exactly the opposite of what I think Omaha should be doing most of the time.

[yard salad]

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.

If we solve for #1, then we don't need to solve for 2 and 3, because there would be almost no need for scooters. Joyriders riding for novelty notwithstanding, scooters fill the hole created by a lack of meaningful transit connections.

I see scooters as an indication that a city's transit is not working well to serve certain destinations. Honestly, it's an interesting experiment and cities could learn a lot about where people want to go just by looking at the piles of beat-up scooters on the sidewalks.

[Omaha Cowboy]

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.

If we solve for #1, then we don't need to solve for 2 and 3, because there would be almost no need for scooters. Joyriders riding for novelty notwithstanding, scooters fill the hole created by a lack of meaningful transit connections.

I see scooters as an indication that a city's transit is not working well to serve certain destinations. Honestly, it's an interesting experiment and cities could learn a lot about where people want to go just by looking at the piles of beat-up scooters on the sidewalks.

On balance, I agree with this..

Under normal, non pandemic times, I visit Dallas, TX multiple times per year mainly to visit family and friends and to occasionally see a Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium (yes, I grew up a Cowboys fan)..

This trip I just took, was the first out of town venture for me since the pandemic..so it was good to get away for a few days.. From an aspirational city standpoint, perhaps Dallas would not be the first city that comes to mind for Omaha to emulate. But I’ll say this, what Dallas has accomplished within its downtown core over the last 25 years is night and day fantastic. Their light rail system is not loud or cumbersome, and blends nicely with all the amenities and cool, hip districts and neighborhoods within their core. Omaha can absolutely learn from Dallas in this regard, as we are embarking on multiple developments within our own core- either in progress or proposed- which will add up to a 1 billion plus $$ investment when all is said and done.. This is hugely significant for our 1 million population metro.. If Omaha pulls this off the right way, and can add 24/7 mixed use and amenity driven developments which encourages walkability and can spur an additional streetcar/rail line connecting Saddle Creek Rd to the Riverfront, it puts Omaha on another level within the hierarchy of cities..

As it relates to this topic, the question then becomes- Does Omaha *really* need Scooters?..

About a year or so ago, one of our forum members asked why I was making such a big deal about scooters. Fair question..Scooters are not a “big deal” until they become one- like when someone gets seriously injured or God forbid killed as a result of people riding them. Unfortunately, this has happened in other cities over the past several years..

Again, my hope is, around the time our 3 phased Riverfront Redevelopment Plan sees completion in 2024, the scooter fad will be fizzling out at the same time. Fingers crossed on that one…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[legato9]

I just used one for the first time in Europe a couple weeks ago. I always though they were kind of annoying and douchy. But a buddy was keen on taking them.

It was amazing. They’re so much fun, super convenient, easy to use, and cheaper than an Uber. I started using them daily while I was there.

I don’t think they’re going anywhere long term. I think that once people use them, the benefits are pretty clear. I think cities would do well to adapt to their expanded use.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I just used one for the first time in Europe a couple weeks ago. I always though they were kind of annoying and douchy. But a buddy was keen on taking them.

It was amazing. They’re so much fun, super convenient, easy to use, and cheaper than an Uber. I started using them daily while I was there.

I don’t think they’re going anywhere long term. I think that once people use them, the benefits are pretty clear. I think cities would do well to adapt to their expanded use.

Interesting perspective. I disagree with it. But appreciate it at the same time..

If Omaha does enhancements to our core correctly, which I believe it will, I really see no need for the nuisance and distraction of people riding scooters..along with their clutter on pretty much every street corner..

Give it about 4 years.. This fad should flame out.. My opinion of course…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[legato9]

When I think of a “fad,” I think of something that is purely a matter of taste. High-waist jeans were in, then out, now in again, for example.

I’m having trouble thinking of an example of something that provided an objective value to people being a “fad.” (People also sometimes abandon on thing in favor of a newer thing that provides the same benefit but in a superior way - mp3 replacing CD, for example. But again, I don’t think of that as a “fad.” Whereas the reemergence of vinyl may well be a fad, because it’s objectively inferior, but some people still prefer the sound.)

Point being, electric scooters offer a benefit that nothing else does. (It’s benefit being a combination of cost, convenience, and control.) And you may see the fact that they’re scattered everywhere as a bug. But to a user, that’s a feature.

I don’t see them disappearing unless a superior technology replaces them. Because they aren’t a matter of pure taste. They’re an objective value to the user.

I could, however, see more people starting to purchase their own. I’m even considering it (a thought that a month ago would have seemed utterly absurd to me). I might throw a couple of them in the trunk when I travel and use them rather than renting one in whatever city I happen to be in.

[Busguy2010]

I don’t see them disappearing unless a superior technology replaces them. Because they aren’t a matter of pure taste. They’re an objective value to the user.

I could, however, see more people starting to purchase their own. I’m even considering it (a thought that a month ago would have seemed utterly absurd to me). I might throw a couple of them in the trunk when I travel and use them rather than renting one in whatever city I happen to be in.

No matter what you call it, I see them only sticking around for a few more years. You have people adamantly for them and adamantly against them. I see this as one of those things that gets ruined by the groups of people that abuse them. And they are most likely the majority of users as-is. Not like we need to support Uber and Lyft owned scooter companies anyway. Now, I can get behind people buying their own. Not only would there be fewer of them out, the riders would likely be more responsible with their own property, and they won't be littered on every corner in town.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’m just not seeing the benefit Scooters provide..that safe, efficient and cost effective public transportation improvements can’t. I also don’t see scooters being taken seriously enough for consideration as a viable, safe or long term efficient form of transportation either. Fondue was a fad in the early and mid 70’s. Stores sold Fondue plates and then the Fondue “fad” fizzled out by the early 80’s..but I digress, lol..

In order for Scooters to become what you’re describing as “offering a benefit that nothing else does”, then a significant number of our population would have to turn away from their cars, motorcycles, bicycles and other more efficient and safe forms of public transportation.. I simply don’t see that ever happening.. and imo, that’s a good thing..

Most people, from my observation here in Omaha and other cities that still currently allow them, consider scooters a novelty, a “fun” activity that one could say they tried once or twice, maybe liked as a 1x happenstance and even took a selfie or video using the appliance as proof to friends/family they’ve done it/tried it..then move on with regular life..

I honestly don’t know anyone that even remotely considers Scooters a long term, viable solution and option for daily transportation. I don’t doubt some folks do..but that number, I’d suspect, is a VERY tiny minority.. On balance, Scooters are simply not taken that seriously by most people..Hence, my reasoning for calling them a fad which will eventually flame out in a few years..

I hope I’m not wrong, but if I am, pass the ketchup and I’ll eat a straw hat…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

Now, I can get behind people buying their own. Not only would there be fewer of them out, the riders would likely be more responsible with their own property, and they won't be littered on every corner in town.

Now that is a good point..

And if someone wants to buy their own Scooter and abide by the rules, perfectly fine by me. Hence, that person made the cost investment, and therefore would take better care of and be more responsible with the appliance..

What’s going on now in Omaha and other cities which still allow public use of scooters..is a nuisance and an eyesore cluster of litter..which compromises public pedestrian safety.. Rules are broken daily and people simply treat scooters as a novelty and don’t take their use seriously..

Once someone gets seriously injured or killed, the city will put the kibosh on Scooters..I just hope the fad fades out before something like that happens in Omaha…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Uffda]

This was on the Tampa local news tonight.

67 electric scooters recovered from Hillsborough River

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local ... 6b2ed5250a

[Athomsfere]

This was on the Tampa local news tonight.

67 electric scooters recovered from Hillsborough River

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local ... 6b2ed5250a

This should be a real concern. I guess the scooter companies aren't being fined enough. I think if the city has to recover these, they should be charged something aggressive: Like $500/ scooter plus ecological damages. Or maybe even more aggressive something like 500*(X/5), where not cleaning up 100 scooters is a million dollar problem.

[Brad]

Apparently Spin is pausing its Omaha operation?

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