Scottsdale runs into problems with electric scooter company

PHOENIX — It turns out that bike share companies are not the only thing giving Phoenix-area cities headaches.

As companies like LimeBike and Ofo rolled into the Valley to offer residents a cheap, easy and environmentally-friendly method of transportation, city officials have identified major problems that they cause.

One of the biggest problems? The fact that many bike share companies allow their product to be “docked” anywhere.

But another electric vehicle sharing company has entered the market, bringing similar problems with it.

Bird, a so-called “reliable last mile electric scooter rental service,” allows users to rent an electric scooter through its app, take it on a ride and park it essentially anywhere. The website encourages riders to not block public pathways and park near bike racks when possible.

The company recently implemented its motorized, dockless scooters in Scottsdale and Tempe.

Tempe officials have said they feel that the scooters are useful, but are thinking of implementing regulations for them in the near future.

“Licensing that would require companies to pay an annual amount,” Taianna Yee, a transportation department spokeswoman, said of the possible regulations.

“It would hold them responsible for the safety and parking and data sharing.”

However, Scottsdale said it did not like the idea and warned the company that it would start issuing tickets and impounding the scooters.

The company said it is working with the city on a solution that would allow affordable, environmentally-friendly transportation.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kathy Cline contributed to this report. 

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