November 5, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Taming the Flocks of Bird Scooters

Will electric scooter companies make their way down to LGBTQ+ hotspots like West Hollywood or Long Beach? 

A year ago, electric scooters were a fringe mode of transportation in Los Angeles, but with the launch of Bird scooters last fall and Lime Scooters soon after, these devices are now zipping down every street and sidewalk throughout West L.A. and slowly creeping through the rest of the county. Local lawmakers, however, are looking to change this.

A motion introduced by Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, who represents Century City and Westwood, would ban shared mobility scooters throughout Los Angeles if passed by City Council. In his motion, Councilmember Koretz took aim at rental services like Bird and Lime, even though he did not mention the companies by name.

“Although the City has not yet adopted a regulatory framework for new electric scooters, several dockless scooter-share companies have launched operations in the City without permission,” Koretz wrote in his motion. “This has led to the devices being placed in the public right-of-way, operating on sidewalks, and causing public safety concerns for riders and pedestrians.”

On June 27, the Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee considered a report by City staff that would create rules to govern these devices. This report is currently pending in the City Council Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee. Councilmember Koretz’s motion — which was seconded by City Councilmember Mitch Englander, who has attempted to ban these devices in the past  — would allow for the Department of Transportation to send cease and desist letters” to any electric scooter company that is found operating in the City and require the companies to remove them until they receive the necessary permits to operate.”

If passed by City Council, this legislation would give the Bureaus of Sanitation and Street Services the power to remove and impound any scooter found in Los Angeles. Rental companies like Bird and Lime would be fined for each device removed by the City.

In addition to seeking a temporary ban on these scooters, the motion Councilmember Koretz introduced would also allow the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to issue violations of the California Vehicle Code to individuals riding these devices.

The proposal was not met with unanimous enthusiasm from Koretz’s colleagues. Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents many neighborhoods in the Westside, argued that a total ban on these scooters would be a mistake considering the potential these scooters have to curb emissions in Los Angeles.

“If we are serious about combatting climate change, cutting emissions, or reducing gridlock, we need to put our mobility where our mouth is,” Bonin tweeted.

Century City resident Joan Hong, acknowledge that the scooters can be dangerous in certain circumstances but views Koretz’s proposal as too far-reaching and negates the devices’ utility.

“I know it’s dangerous,” Hong said. “But it would be a shame to ban them.”

Hong and her family use Bird and Lime scooters on a regular basis to get restaurants and shops around Century City that are a little too far away to walk but also too close to justify driving.

“Over the weekend, I was running late to a nail appointment at the Westfield Mall,” Hong said. “I was planning to walk over, but instead I jumped on a Bird and got to the appointment on time. I think it’s a great alternative mode of transportation, especially in our neighborhood.”

The motion is still pending in both the Los Angeles City Council’s  Transportation Committee and Public Saftey Committee. This means that there is still time for the public to voice their opinion on this piece of legislation before it goes before the City Council as a whole.

Councilmember Koretz can be reached via email at paul.koretz@lacity.org, and his West Los Angeles office can be reached at (323) 866-1828.

Related Posts

Election Day Freebies and Discounts: Where to Eat, Drink, and Watch Election Results

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

From Free Doughnuts To Watch Parties, How To Unwind With Election Night Deals With this election day being one of...

DuPont Clinic Issues a Statement After City of Beverly Hills is Held Accountable By CA Attorney General Bonta

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

AG Rob Bonta Intervenes in Unprecedented Case, Defending Abortion Access Attorney General Rob Bonta launched an investigation after reports that...

LADWP to Begin Water Main Replacement on La Cienega Boulevard on November 4

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

1,300 Feet of Water Main to Be Replaced, Expect Traffic and Parking Restrictions The Los Angeles Department of Water and...

Legendary Music Icon Quincy Jones Dies at 91 in Bel Air

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Celebrated Musician, Producer Leaves an Indelible Legacy By Dolores Quintana Legendary musician, music producer, film and television producer, composer of...

Brentwood’s Beloved New York Bagel Co. to Close After 21 Years at Topa Town & Country Center

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Local Favorite, Designed by Renowned Architect Fred Gehry, Must Vacate by December 31 By Dolores Quintana New York Bagel Co.,...

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Lays Off Longtime Archive and Library Staff

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Downsizing and Restructuring Continue, Affecting Employees with Decades of Service By Dolores Quintana Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture...

LA County Opens 526 New Vote Centers for Early Voting, Announces Conditional Voting for Unregistered Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro LA Offers Free Rides on Election Day to Help Residents Get to the Polls Los Angeles County opened an...

H5N1 Detected in LA County Wastewater, Health Officials Urge Precautions for Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Los Angeles County Investigates Low-Level H5 Avian Flu Detected in Wastewater The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is...

West Hollywood Unveils Powerful Art Installation Advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

Final Impact Campaign by Equal Means Equal Brings a New Photo Installation to West Hollywood Equal Means Equal, a national...

All You Need to Know to Attend the Dodgers Victory Parade Tomorrow in DTLA

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

World Champions and LA’s Team to Greet Angelenos After Win of NY Yankees The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that their...

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn/

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...

(Video) Something About Her’s First Tea Time Was a Big Hit

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Next Date is November Third. Beautiful vibes, deciduous food and drink. Don’t miss it. @Something About Her @centurycitywestwoodnews Something...