A month and a half ago, the New York City Department of Transportation announced with “great fanfare” the launch of the electric scooter sharing program in Queens County, and although users of these types of devices are enjoying the new alternative for getting around, there are neighbors who are getting goosebumps.
Although the program, which covers about 20 square miles from Flushing and Auburndale to Rochdale Village and Springfield Gardens, with more than 163,000 users and was implemented following the example of the Bronx, benefits about 600,000 residents, complaints have been the order of the day.
This is what Queens residents like Alexandra Gonzalez say, who says she is “very worried” about the increase in irresponsible and reckless users who travel on scooters, not only rented ones but also their own. The Mexican mother says that in various parts of Jamaica and Holis, she has seen young people and adults riding scooters, bicycles and electric motorcycles on sidewalks at high speed, as if they were on a highway.
“I really like that those of us who live here have the option of having more means of transport, especially when one lives far from the train. But people have to learn to behave,” says the preschool teacher. “The problem is not the program itself, the program is great, the problem is that many users of these scooters and motorcycles lack greater awareness. I think that greater penalties are needed so that they learn to respect public space.”
Juan Fernando Arcila, who claims to be a user of the rental scooter program in Queens, admits that the arrival of these devices in his neighborhood “has made his life happier” because he can now run short errands on the scooter, but he agrees that other users think they are riding a toy.
“Unfortunately, we are used to being given a hard time to learn, and since these scooters are almost a fad in various parts of the city, you see people all the time who don’t respect the sidewalks and drive at top speed,” said the young Colombian. “We have to put on the brakes, because the sidewalks are full of adults, children, and older people who, God forbid, could be run over by these devices.”
New York City Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez recalled that the scooter program was expanded to several points in Queens County to offer an alternative way of getting around that is at the same time popular, safe and environmentally sustainable. However, he acknowledged that there are users who do not follow the rules to avoid accidents and after calling on them to use transportation responsibly, he warned that those who do not comply with minimum parameters are exposed to consequences.
“I want to say that Mayor Eric Adams and I listen to everything that is told to us and although we support initiatives that help create more infrastructure such as bicycle lanes and the use of scooters, we have also listened and given instructions to better regulate the use of roads for scooters and promoted educational campaigns for the proper use of these means of transport,” said the Latino official.
Rodríguez said that users of bicycles, motorcycles and electric scooters cannot believe that they can go at high speed or move in a reckless manner, without anything happening, because there are measures and sanctions by the authorities, and proof of this is that more than 25,000 scooters have been taken off the streets throughout the Big Apple.
“We want to make sure that New Yorkers understand that speeding on sidewalks is not allowed. And we’re definitely going to continue to look more at how we’re going to strengthen enforcement and support riders and neighbors in the communities, because we’re always listening to them.”
Another complaint expressed by Queens residents is that they frequently see scooters and electric transportation devices, not only those rented from the companies Bird, Lime and Veo, but of different types, parked in places where they should not be, obstructing traffic and affecting mobility.
“I live in Flushing and this has become a problem, these scooters are everywhere as if they were robots. They have to put things in order because sometimes you go out in the car and see these devices on the streets and other times you see people driving these and electric motorcycles on the sidewalks and they can kill someone,” said Dominican Mariano Vega.
The Department of Transportation insists that in addition to expanding scooter service and supporting the use of electric devices so that workers and New Yorkers in general have a variety of options for getting around, safety will continue to be a priority.
“Safety remains central to the e-scooter program’s contractual and operational requirements and the NYC Department of Transportation requires in-app safety training, a questionnaire, and age verification for new users,” the DOT warns. “A Beginner Mode also limits a new user’s first three rides to a speed of 10 mph and cannot be initiated during nighttime hours. Thanks to these requirements, the Department of Transportation has recorded few serious injuries and no deaths through the program thus far. Since the program was launched, fewer than one accident per 10,000 rides have been reported.”
They also note that a recent evaluation report highlighting the successes of the Bronx pilot program and examining usage after more than 1.4 million trips, notes that the shared electric scooter pilot program provides “functional and accessible mobility options to historically underserved communities.” They also stated that it offers an “environmentally friendly mobility option, reducing reliance on motor vehicle use,” and provides connection to subway stations, bus and ferry stops.
Stewart Lyons, CEO of the scooter company Bird, also noted that experiences in counties like the Bronx show the importance of mobility equipment rental programs.
“We had an incredibly successful pilot in the Bronx and are excited to build on this success with a community-focused operation in Eastern Queens. We are improving connectivity in New York City by serving as a complement to public transportation, helping the boroughs we serve by offering an eco-friendly alternative to daily travel,” said Lyons.
Scooters have become a fast transportation option. Photo Edwin Martinez
Nicole Yearwood, Lime’s senior manager of government relations, said they are always listening to the voices of the community.
“We hope to provide a safe, sustainable and affordable way to get around Queens, the borough of the world. The success of the program in the Bronx, with an increase in ridership and a strong safety record, has demonstrated the potential of shared electric scooters to connect New Yorkers to public transportation, work, school and the city itself,” said the executive, stressing that this means of transportation must be used safely, while reminding the public of the importance of parking the devices where they should be.
“We understand that the success of this program will be built on a foundation of safe driving and proper parking, so we have been working for months to listen to the community, hear their ideas, and develop operational plans that will ensure a smooth transition for everyone,” he added.
Data
- 10 mph is the maximum speed on scooters for beginners’ first rides
- Less than one accident per 10,000 trips is the program average
- 1.4 million rental scooter trips have been made in Bronx County
- 20 square miles, from Flushing and Auburndale to Rochdale Village and Springfield Gardens, are enabled in Queens
- 163,000 rented scooter users are registered in NY
- 600,000 Queens residents benefit
- In addition to scooters, motorcycles and electric bicycles are widely used means of transport today.
- The main complaint from residents is that some users drive at high speed on sidewalks
- There are also complaints about parking devices in unauthorized places.
- 25,000 scooters across the Big Apple have been seized for violating regulations