San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer proposed a series of new regulations Thursday designed to slow down dockless scooters in public areas and establish clear rules of the road.
The proposal includes limiting the top speed to 8 mph in certain areas, instituting parking regulations, and requiring scooter companies to obtain liability insurance and pay $150 per device annually to defray the city’s costs.
“We welcome more mobility options and these new regulations take a common-sense approach that will allow this emerging market to grow in a responsible way,” Faulconer said. “Scooters and e-bikes are providing an opportunity for thousands of people to get around town without a car, creating less traffic and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.”
Under the mayor’s proposal, speeds would be limited to 8 mph in eight areas:
- Boardwalks in Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla beaches
- Spanish Landing
- Petco Park
- Balboa Park
- NTC Park
- Mission Bay Park
Two areas, the north and south Embarcadero and Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, would be “no-ride” zones.
Scooter companies would be required to stage their devices in groups of up to four, with at least 40 feet between groups. Staging would be prohibited in school and hospital zones.
The city will encourage residents to report misplaced or abandoned bikes and scooters through the Get It Done app. Operators will have three hours to remove the devices or face potential impound.
Each scooter operator will be required to indemnify the city from liability claims and each will need to hold a liability insurance policy.
The proposed ordinance will be discussed at the City Council’s Feb. 20 Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting.