After getting no bites on its dockless bike-sharing program, Phoenix is considering a pilot program for electric scooters.
Private companies charge fees for people to rent scooters, usually by using a smartphone app. Motorized scooters are currently banned in Phoenix, but a potential pilot program covering downtown will be discussed during Tuesday’s planning and economic development subcommittee.
Among other things, the proposal limits each vendor to 300 scooters, limits the maximum speed to 15 miles per hour and requires vendors move scooters parked in unauthorized areas within two hours of being notified.
The proposal says riders must be at least 18 and have a driver’s license. Helmets are encouraged, but not required and riding on sidewalks is prohibited. Riders and vendors must agree to release the city of liabilities from injuries, death and damage.
City staff suggests a six to 12 month program to monitor operations, assess demand and evaluate the impacts. The $5,000 permit fee per vendor would recover city costs for administering the program and would be evaluated during the pilot program. City council approval is required before an electric scooter pilot program can be launched.