I am not sure how to feel about this...

[R-Rated]

Some of you may know I have a crush on these two wheeled distant cousins of our bikes. I see them as a way to get more future riders.

But this? This I am not sure what to think? Top speed of a rental is around 18mph. So ...

Video Shows Flash Mob of Electric Scooter Riders Swarming Downtown L.A. as Police Follow

Video shows a flash mob of electric scooter riders swarming downtown Los Angeles and disrupting traffic as police followed behind at around midnight Sunday. What appeared to be at least 200 riders …

ktla.com

 

[LoneWally]

Well at least they did at midnight

 

[WheelyPerd]

I've only read bad things about these e-scooters, their too slow for roads and too fast for sidewalks. I also think because their rentals, people dont give care about them at all.

Anyone know what the app or service or whatever costs to rent one?

 

[R-Rated]

Well at least they did at midnight

And it was in the Arts District. So maybe it was performance art?

I've only read bad things about these e-scooters, their too slow for roads and too fast for sidewalks. I also think because their rentals, people dont give care about them at all.

Anyone know what the app or service or whatever costs to rent one?

There are several companies that rent them. Most are $1 USD to unlock and anywhere from .15 to .35 per minute to ride.

 

[WheelyPerd]

Most are $1 USD to unlock and anywhere from .15 to .35 per minute to ride.

They would not work here due to large distances and other reasons, but holy crap that is cheap, like even in my currency thats cheap.

 

[CafeBrakes]

I admit, they are fun to ride around especially in downtown area since many stores and restaurants are spread out and parking is so limited. As far as this, this is far out crazy. Not meant to ride in the middle of the street.

 

[LoneWolfer]

Probably no change in how long it took to get through downtown LA though!

 

[HippoDrone]

I think they are mostly illegal in the UK as they are not road registered

 

[WheelyPerd]

I think they are mostly illegal in the UK as they are not road registered

Sidewalks though? I dont think their meant for the road, even in the US?

 

[HippoDrone]

Sidewalks though? I dont think their meant for the road, even in the US?

Not allowed to use them on the pavements either

 

[R-Rated]

Sidewalks though? I dont think their meant for the road, even in the US?

Here in Nashville, TN the companies don't want users riding on sidewalks but rather the street and preferably bike lanes.

 

[RideOnTwo]

I don't want scooters on sidewalks either it is a sideWALK.

Problem is not the scooter it is the idiots on the scooter, at midnight anyone trying to sleep nearby had to hear the sirens. Not supposed to have bikes on sidewalks either and we do but there are not enough police to enforce this stuff and frankly they usually have bigger problems.

 

[WheelyPerd]

Ah I finally get all the huff about this, cant use them on sidewalks, cant technically use them on the road.

 

[RideOnTwo]

Ah I finally get all the huff about this, cant use them on sidewalks, cant technically use them on the road.

Here in the US scooters can be operated on the road like Bicycles. Anything (even a bicycle with a assist motor) over a certain cc or mph are supposed to have a drivers permit (not motorcycle specific). Not quite sure but at some juncture even the scooters require a motorcycle specific license/permit at a cc or mph limit. Skateboards, Segway, hover board etc. are all supposed to be off limits to sidewalks but enforcement is an issue.

 

[R-Rated]

Ah I finally get all the huff about this, cant use them on sidewalks, cant technically use them on the road.

Basically a mode of transportation that noone really knows how it fits into society.

My wife said it reminds her of the history of the first motorcars. No real regulation and most people don't know how to work with them.

Here in the US scooters can be operated on the road like Bicycles. Anything (even a bicycle with a assist motor) over a certain cc or mph are supposed to have a drivers permit (not motorcycle specific). Not quite sure but at some juncture even the scooters require a motorcycle specific license/permit at a cc or mph limit. Skateboards, Segway, hover board etc. are all supposed to be off limits to sidewalks but enforcement is an issue.

In Tennessee, these little buggers are exempt from licensing because they are excluded from motor vehicle definition -

"Motor vehicle" means every vehicle that is self-propelled, excluding electric scooters, motorized bicycles, and every vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires.

But this incident was in California and they define motor vehicle like this-

(a) A “motor vehicle” is a vehicle that is self-propelled.

(b) “Motor vehicle” does not include a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle, if operated by a person who, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.

So it makes sense why the companies I use (Bird and Lime) require a driver's license to rent one. They were both started in California

Still, over 200 at $1 unlock plus about .26 per minute in L.A. is a good chunk of money for a protest or whatever this was.