Time for the Scooters to Scoot Out (at least for now)
The reaction I saw this weekend from Nashville Mayor David Briley's open memorandum regarding shared urban mobility devices a/k/a SUMDs a/k/a and best known as "scooters" was mostly positive for the removal of scooters from Metro rights of way. The final call is apparently up to the council, so you won't see the scooters disappear immediately. Also in the works is a request for proposals to be issued by the Transportation Licensing Commission to perhaps add back a smaller number of SUMDs, but only if requirements for safety and accessibility are met.
I have read about the gobs of money being made with scooters around the country and also about some litigation that commenced in the State of California. The expenses of such litigation are large, but the expenses can be paid because so much money is being made.
Folks, I would never deny someone fun times in Nashville. There are many ways to enjoy our city (especially our downtown core) and some have come along in recent years. Pedal taverns. Party wagons. Party swimming pool wagons. Party wagons pulled by tractors. Imagine it, and it can happen. But a lot of it probably comes with a liability waiver, too.
Bird introduced us to scooters. Then Lime. Then Lyft. JUMP. Gotcha. And then more companies lining up for their share of the business. And then this town has way too many scooters. This past weekend, I saw scooters toppled and lying on Lower Broadway. There are plenty of folks on the sidewalks on Lower Broadway. We don't need scooters taking up space. A scooter or three coming down the sidewalk is a fun visual diversion for anyone watching and an entertaining pastime for the rider. But serious injuries and the possibility of even fatality has caught the attention of our mayor. And the smart money says that the council will follow his recommended action.
No one wants an amusing time for one person to become a negative experience for another. Much less a great time being the "last time". This morning I was en route to church, and a scooter was blocking me from getting out of my parking space. On private property. A minor irritation. But a sign of the times just the same. We have too many scooters. Time to take a step back, evaluate, and see what needs to happen next.
James A. Rose
Publisher
Folks, I would never deny someone fun times in Nashville. There are many ways to enjoy our city (especially our downtown core) and some have come along in recent years. Pedal taverns. Party wagons. Party swimming pool wagons. Party wagons pulled by tractors. Imagine it, and it can happen. But a lot of it probably comes with a liability waiver, too.
Bird introduced us to scooters. Then Lime. Then Lyft. JUMP. Gotcha. And then more companies lining up for their share of the business. And then this town has way too many scooters. This past weekend, I saw scooters toppled and lying on Lower Broadway. There are plenty of folks on the sidewalks on Lower Broadway. We don't need scooters taking up space. A scooter or three coming down the sidewalk is a fun visual diversion for anyone watching and an entertaining pastime for the rider. But serious injuries and the possibility of even fatality has caught the attention of our mayor. And the smart money says that the council will follow his recommended action.
No one wants an amusing time for one person to become a negative experience for another. Much less a great time being the "last time". This morning I was en route to church, and a scooter was blocking me from getting out of my parking space. On private property. A minor irritation. But a sign of the times just the same. We have too many scooters. Time to take a step back, evaluate, and see what needs to happen next.
James A. Rose
Publisher
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