Rider penalties also considered.
By Sam Catanzaro
A year ago, electric scooters were a fringe mode of transportation in Brentwood but with the launch of Bird scooters last fall and Lime Scooters soon after, these devices are now zipping down every street and sidewalk throughout West Los Angeles. Local lawmakers, however, are looking to change this.
A motion introduced by Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, who represents much of West Los Angeles, would ban shared mobility scooters throughout Los Angeles if passed by City Council. In his motion, Councilmember Koretz took aim at rental services like Bird and Lime, even though he did not mention the companies by name.
“Although the City has not yet adopted a regulatory framework for new electric scooters, several dockless scooter-share companies have launched operations in the City without permission,” Koretz wrote in his motion. “This has led to the devices being placed in the public right-of-way, operating on sidewalks, and causing public safety concerns for riders and pedestrians.”
On June 27, the Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee considered a report by City staff that would create rules to govern these devices. This report is currently pending in the City Council Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee. Councilmember Koretz’s motion – which was seconded by City Councilmember Mitch Englander, who has attempted to ban these devices in the past – would allow for the Department of Transportation to send cease and desist letters “ to any electric scooter company that is found operating in the City and require the companies to remove them until they receive the necessary permits to operate.”
If passed by City Council, this legislation would give the Bureaus of Sanitation and Street Services the power to remove and impound any scooter found in Los Angeles. Rental companies like Bird and Lime would be fined for each device removed by the City.
In addition to seeking a temporary ban on these scooters, the motion Councilmember Koretz introduced would also allow the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to issue violations of the California Vehicle Code to individuals riding these devices.
The proposal was not met with unanimous enthusiasm from Koretz’s colleagues. Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents Brentwood, argued that a total ban on these scooters would be a mistake considering the potential these scooters have to curb emissions in Los Angeles.
“If we are serious about combatting climate change, cutting emissions, or reducing gridlock, we need to put our mobility where our mouth is,” Bonin tweeted.
The motion is still pending in both the Los Angeles City Council’s Transportation Committee and Public Saftey Committee. This means that there is still time for the public to voice their opinion on this piece of legislation before it goes before the City Council as a whole. Councilmember Koretz can be reached via email at paul.koretz@lacity.org, and his West Los Angeles office can be reached at (323) 866-1828.
At the state level, these devices are getting attention with Assembly Bill 2989. The bill would only require helmets for riders under the age of 18 while prohibiting riding e-scooters without a valid driver’s license or permit and establishing a 15 mph speed limit. The bill would, however, allow for local control, permitting cities to come up with their own laws governing helmet use and speed limits.
On Tuesday, August 7, the Brentwood Community Council (BCC) voted to oppose AB 2989. The opposition motion, introduced by Community Councilmember David A. Holtzman, President of the South Brentwood Neighborhood Association, instructs the BCC to communicate their opposition and concerns to state lawmakers including State Senator Ben Allen and Governor Jerry Brown.
Holtzman argued that AB 2989, if passed, would present a public safety hazard.
“The bill seeks to eliminate the state helmet law for adults riding motorized scooters on streets, and to allow such scooters on roads with speed limits up to 35 MPH instead of 25 MPH. In doing so, it would inevitably worsen or cause injuries,” Holtzman wrote. “Furthermore, the bill’s sponsorship by a company (Bird) that seeks to profit from heightened public health risk (without paying for associated health care costs) raises the specter of public corruption.”
Brentwood Field Deputy Lisa Cahill for Councilmember Mike Bonin who represents Brentwood, was at the BCC meeting and said that while these scooters have caused a fair amount trouble in the district, Councilmember Bonin recognizes their potential to reduce congestion.
“[When] people are considerate and drive them like vehicles, and they abide by the law, they can be a great way for people to take care of that first or last mile, and help get cars off the road which will help all of our traffic,” Cahill said.
