Scooter

“I certainly didn’t expect someone would DELIBERATELY try to run into me”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I fully accept that most adults look full-on ridiculous when riding any motorized scooter around town, and I also accept that many folks, especially visitors to our city, aren’t always the most safe or courteous.

That said, I had a total unexpected run-in with a car yesterday while scooting. I was standing at the red light at 8th and G, SE, facing the Marine Barracks. I’m aware that a car is slightly behind me. Light turns green, I proceed ahead, staying to the far right so the car can pass me, even pausing behind a parked car on the opposite side of the intersection so it can pass. It pulls up very close behind me, and I assume it’s to let the car coming the opposite direction get by. So I pull around the parked car and stop again in front of the parked car, again trying to let the driving car go past. And AGAIN, this car pulls up right behind me, even though there is plenty of room. (more…)

Starting Thursday JUMP Bikes and Scooters will be the same price

By Prince Of Petworth

Yesterday we learned that JUMP (and Uber) was launching their scooters in D.C.

Marco writes this morning:

“We can’t take these companies seriously as they insinuate themselves into our cities as viable transportation options and then double their prices with one day’s notice.”

Ed. Note: For bikes it used to be $2 ride for 30 minutes and then .07/minute. I asked Marco to do the math on that, because I was told there would be no math today, and he replied:

“I guess from a customer perspective the “break even” is 13 minutes, so it’s a net loss to customers if the average rides are above that. But my bigger issue is the one day notice over email as it pertains to the city treating them as a transportation asset.”

“Uber announces the launch of dockless electric scooter service JUMP in Washington, D.C.”

By Prince Of Petworth


courtesy UBER

From a press release:

“Today, Uber announces the launch of dockless electric scooter service JUMP in Washington, D.C. The addition of e-scooters brings another transportation option to the Uber app and helps create a one-stop-shop for riders, whether their destination is a few blocks, a few miles, or across town. JUMP scooters are electric, making it easier for riders to get around the city without breaking a sweat this spring.

The expansion of JUMP in the city is part of Uber’s commitment to bringing together multiple modes of transportation choices – offering safe, affordable options for first and last mile solutions. Free helmets will be distributed through Gearin’ Up Bicycles until May 7. (more…)

“He told me to f*&k off and that if my dog had a problem with him scooting on the sidewalk, it should be put down”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

This week, I was turning the corner onto our street/ house after a lovely evening (7 pm) walk with the dog. As with many dogs, though she is very friendly and well-trained, she’s terrified of skateboards and dockless scooters when they’re in motion and making noise. Knowing this, as I saw a young man on a scooter approaching us quickly, headphones in (corded for context), I held my dog by the collar and moved her as far to the edge of the sidewalk as I could.

With the other hand, I waved frantically to him. I finally got his attention and politely asked him to wait for us to round the corner to our house rather than zooming past us, because my dog (pointing to the cute, but growingly anxious, 60-lbs rescue shepherd mix I was physically restraining) doesn’t do well around scooters. If he could wait 20 seconds for us to get out of his pathway that would be great.

He told me to f*&k off and that if my dog had a problem with him scooting on the sidewalk, it should be put down, it’s not his problem and proceeded to zoom right by us. (more…)

Serious Scooter-Car Crash around 8:30am at 14th and W St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

UPDATE from MPD:

“MPD units responded to the 2100 block of 14th Street NW at approximately 8:20am this morning for the report of a crash involving a motor vehicle and a scooter. The investigation on the scene revealed that a passenger in the vehicle opened the driver’s side rear door of the car, striking the scooter who was traveling down the street. The operator of the scooter was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The operator of the vehicle was issued a notice of infraction for opening or permitting a door to open to traffic side.”

Darpwel reported:

“looks like another accident involving a scooter at 14th & W NW. Might be because of the new speed limit on them? I hope everyone is ok!”

“Hannah reported: (more…)

“I’ve noticed in the past few weeks that more scooters have a safety feature in place that prevents them from going above 10mph.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been an avid scooter rider since they first started in DC. I ride them to-and-from work and on occasional short trips all the time. As long as there isn’t snow (yet!) or wet streets, they’ve been an efficient and affordable way to get around. However, I’ve noticed in the past few weeks that more scooters have a safety feature in place that prevents them from going above 10mph.

I heard about this policy being implemented, but did this piece really made it through? (more…)

More Dockless Motorized Scooters and Bicycles coming in 2019

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced a major step toward more equitable transportation options with a broad but incremental expansion of the dockless vehicle sharing program for 2019.

In 2019, DDOT plans to issue ten public right-of-way occupancy permits to operators of dockless bicycles or electric scooters. The 10 approved permits will allow up to 6,000 vehicles, which is a 2.5 times the maximum of 2,400 on the street today. (more…)

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