HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-09-23 Public Comment - L. Ashby - Electric rental scooters feedbackFrom:Lyn Ashby
To:Agenda
Subject:Electric rental scooters feedback
Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 2:49:18 PM
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We have been Bozeman residents for 10 years and I would like to put in our opinion on the electric scooters.
In short, they are dangerous in the hands of youngsters using them as fun, fast, toys, and one day someone will get
killed and many family’s lives will be ruined.
Not to mention they are left around in the middle of the sidewalks all over town. Many streets, like ours, do not have
lights and on more than one occasion I have nearly fallen over one while walking the dog at dusk. If it would have
been nighttime I would not have seen them. I would like to know who is liable in these situations.
I know one of the selling features for these and the benefits touted by the manufacturers is that it is a good way for
people to commute, that saves the environment, saves local parking, and many other things. These are all valid
points but….
In the years that they have been here in Bozeman, I doubt I have seen more than five people actually commuting on
them, the majority of them are young teens racing around, switching from sidewalks and roads at high speeds with
no helmets, and no regard whatsoever for vehicles or pedestrians. They’re just kids, they don’t look, don’t care, and
think they are invincible.
It is only a matter of time before some poor motorist will accidentally kill one of these children, through no fault of
their own. Despite it being beyond their control, their lives will be ruined, they and their families will have to live
the rest of their lives, knowing that they killed someone, despite the fact that it was not their fault. Also the families
of the offending scooter riders will be ruined. There will be regret, blame and heartache.
There will be police involved, lawsuits, expensive attorneys, the list is endless of the horrifying consequences of
someone getting killed due to irresponsible behavior on these vehicles.
They should be banned until the company and the city put in meaningful, enforceable rules, to keep the scooter
riders, motorists, and pedestrians safe.
Lyn Ashby
419N 22nd Ave, Bozeman