Every so often, new trends come out that get everyone interested and cause a stir amongst a specific community. This is the case with electric scooter ride-share companies Bird and Lime, which have taken the Los Angeles County and Santa Monica areas.
The impact on the city is already present.
Here are some things that Santa Monica residents should know regarding the newest fad and how it has impacted the city now—as well as what it means for the future.
Who Gets to Use Bird and Lime Scooters?
Bird and Lime scooters are not for everyone to use. In fact, there are regulations regarding who is allowed to ride the scooters and what requirements are necessary to even rent the electric scooter. This includes:
- Individuals must be 18 years or older, and
- Individuals must have a valid driver’s license, and
- Individuals must ride alone
These are just the restrictions of the companies themselves. It doesn’t take into account the impact of the pilot program proposed by the city and through Los Angeles County.
The city of Santa Monica is home to many of the current Bird and Lime scooter movement in Los Angeles County. There are so many places for individuals to go in the city and the ease of transportation that these electric scooters present is appealing.
Current Bans
While the city overall is open to the use of electric scooter rentals, there are some specific locations where these are banned. This includes the Santa Monica Promenade, as well as various college campuses.
This is because there are so many pedestrians in the area and these scooters are capable of going up to 15 miles per hour. Any kind of collision can be dangerous to individuals, so they are restricted from certain areas.
At McGee Lerer, our Santa Monica electric scooter accident attorneys understand the impact these have on the city, pedestrians, and drivers. It’s important to have protection if you are injured. Our firm is here to help.