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Electric Scooters Coming to Downtown Phoenix?

Posted at 9:01 AM, Jan 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-25 11:01:33-05

Electric scooters may be zooming into Downtown Phoenix.

The City Council recently approved a scooter pilot program. Over the course of six to 12 months the program would evaluate and test the impact of electric scooters in the downtown Phoenix area. 

The vendors could have a maximum of 300 scooters and a 100-foot distance between staging loctions. It’s also required that scooters must be up-to-date with the latest safety standards. Not only that, but the vendors will need to have an idea on ways to teach customers how ride and park the scooters safely.  

The pilot progam will also include evaluating and collecting data on rideship, community feedback, rider surveys, and any incidents. 

The scooters would be located from McDowell Road to Buckeye Road and Seventh Avenue to Seventh Street, but it is allowed to ride the scooter outside those areas. Riders should keep in mind that there could be a possible $80 relocation fee for the scooters that have to be placed back to their orginal desginated areas. 

However, the scooters are collected by the end of the night, so they can charge and be ready to roll the next morning. To cover the cost of the program, the staff has proposed a possible $500 vendor application fee. 

Those who plan to ride the scooters must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license. The scooters are not allowed on the sidewalks and are only allowed to ride in the streets or in bike lanes at the maximum speed of 15 MPH. 

If all goes well, the scooters could be coming out this March.