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Bird’s dockless electric scooters appeared without notice on the sidewalks of Somerville on July 20. — Photo by Shira Laucharoen
Update: Somerville City Solicitor Francis Wright Jr. put out a cease and desist letter saying the city will confiscate scooters starting Friday, August 3. The letter asked Bird to remove the scooters within 48 hours of its receipt, otherwise the city would confiscate the scooters beginning August 3.
By Shira Laucharoen
Electric scooters from the California based company Bird landed on the streets of Somerville for public usage on July 20. The city had not anticipated their arrival and was taken by surprise by their launch, issuing a statement that “there is no contract, license or agreement in place to allow them to operate in Somerville at this time.”
While the scooters do not currently have any arrangement to run in Somerville, the city has not yet taken any action to restrict them. The only measure it will currently take is to confiscate those that are blocking access to a public way or are parked improperly, said the City of Somerville’s deputy director of communications Jaclyn Rossetti in an email.
“Birds” also appeared in Cambridge, where they were declared illegal, and they are not permitted to be driven into Boston. In contrast to neighboring cities’ adverse responses to the controversial rides, Somerville will be open to starting a conversation with the company and reaching an understanding “immediately,” according to Rossetti.
“The city is committed to mobility strategies that reduce dependence on the private automobile, and we believe that electric scooter companies can be a part of the solution if the providers work with us, share data, and ensure compliance with “safety and accessibility laws,” wrote Rossetti.
Birds are shared, dockless, electric scooters that the company said are ideal for “people looking to take a short journey across town or down that ‘last mile’ from the subway or bus to their destination.” Riders can track down the location of a Bird using a smartphone app, which can program the scooter to “chirp” when nearby. The vehicles cost one dollar to start and 15 cents for every following minute. They are able to travel at a rate of up to 15 miles per hour and are meant to be ridden in bike lanes, rather than on a sidewalk. When riders are done using the scooters, they may park them on the curb, out of the way of public pathways, but unlike the greater Boston area’s BlueBikes, Birds are not returned to a specific spot or rack.
Safety will remain a primary concern in discussions with Bird, said Rossetti. To use a Bird, riders must confirm that they are over the age of 18, and talks with the company will cover the necessity of wearing a helmet when riding a scooter. The vehicles will be picked up by a team at night to be recharged and inspected for maintenance needs. Local users of the scooters have said that they are enjoyable to ride but that they could pose a safety hazard.
“They’re awesome. They could be dangerous unless you know how to ride them, but they’re convenient and fun. I’m making a Sunday out of it,” said user Chris Culnane. “Certain people, if they’re not paying enough attention, could hit someone or fall over, but it’s easier to use than riding a bike.”
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Oh, please. Don’t add another obstacle to this city. We all already have to contend with cars and bikes and pedestrians all trying to navigate the same narrow roads without having to worry about another one either running into somebody or being run into.
“Certain people, if they’re not paying enough attention, could hit someone or fall over, but it’s easier to use than riding a bike.”
Do people really think that cyclists would simply switch to scooters? This should be for small towns or rural areas, not big cities that already have too much to deal with.
As for “paying attention,” you’re assuming that most people moving around the city are not considering themselves as having the right-of-way and are bothering to look around them when they walk or bike. Good luck with that.
I have been both a driver and a pedestrian in my life, and I can tell you from personal experience that I have been the one to watch bikes when walking, and both pedestrians and cyclists when driving, because they simply go and don’t bother to worry about their surroundings most of the time. Yes, it’s my responsibilty, but it’s also theirs.
How many times have I been driving, and watched parents walking across the street with their kids without even looking either way? That’s a nice lesson to teach their children. Everybody needs to look no matter how they are traveling, but it’s not often that happens.
You can only juggle so many balls in the air, and it won’t be long until the whole thing topples.
honestly this would be awesome idea, and on top of that somerville can compensate thru it because LA has lots of money to give away and they are making a killing out here with these.
I think Bird is a good idea but from what I’ve seen, people have no intention of following the rules and the city should come down hard.
The city of Boston has been impounding Bird scooters parked on the sidewalk. I think Somerville should do the same, as well as fine users and confiscate (and impound) scooters from users not following all the laws, including: obeying stop signs and stop lights; going the right direction; not riding on the sidewalk; wearing a helmer (required for all electric/motorized vehicles).
Until then, another reason I have a dash cam.
Every user of a Bird is someone who isn’t driving a car and contributing to traffic problems. Somerville and Cambridge should enthusiastically embrace this and other innovative forms of transportation.
Gee, the city doesn’t react so nicely to elderly residents who put something in a space they have spent time shoveling out of the snow while they go to the store for bread and milk. They don’t negotiate, they just dispose of the object so a young millenial can come along and snag your spot.
Joe: Why would the city enforce laws for scooters, when they rent bikes without enforcing laws for them?
In response to previous comment: I think the city should enforce traffic laws against cyclists too more aggressively, including those who rent city bikes. I say that as a cyclist (as well as a motorist). I don’t understand your space saver comment… space saving is illegal for all ages. If anybody wants a reserved space, they may pay for a private one; public spaces are public.