9 votes

An 1835 law created for horse-drawn carriages prevents electric scooter startups from expanding to the UK

Posted by spit-evil-olive-tips
Tags: united kingdom, history, regulation, 19th century, law, urban planning, horses, carriages, technology, startups, vehicles.electric, mobility.micro, scooters, cities.capital, author.shona ghosh, source.business insider, short read, paywall
https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-scooters-illegal-1835-highways-act-2018-8

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Title
A 183-year-old law created for horse-drawn carriages has frustrated Silicon Valley's buzziest startups
Published
Aug 11 2018
Word count
786 words

4 comments

  1. [4]
    Bear
    Link
    I'm in San Francisco, where we've had trouble with these companies, precisely because of the "Once they reach their destination, they can leave the scooter anywhere" part. People leave them right...

    The idea is simple: Startups such as Bird, Lime, Jump, and Spin leave their electric scooters available for hire all over a city. Anyone wanting to use one can find one nearby via an app, "unlock" it with the app, then hire it for a small fee per minute. Once they reach their destination, they can leave the scooter anywhere.

    I'm in San Francisco, where we've had trouble with these companies, precisely because of the "Once they reach their destination, they can leave the scooter anywhere" part. People leave them right in the traffic paths, on sidewalks, in street crosswalks, etc.

    They block paths for anyone who physically cannot step over them, such as people in wheelchairs, and are tripping hazards for people with low vision, or who are distracted.

    The UK would be well advised to not let them expand there until/unless they have a plan to keep them off of walkways.

    9 votes
    1. [2]
      Algernon_Asimov
      Link Parent
      We've had similar problems with dockless bicycle hire companies here in Australia. Not only do people leave the bikes anywhere after using them, but other enterprising souls have ensured that...

      I'm in San Francisco, where we've had trouble with these companies, precisely because of the "Once they reach their destination, they can leave the scooter anywhere" part.

      We've had similar problems with dockless bicycle hire companies here in Australia. Not only do people leave the bikes anywhere after using them, but other enterprising souls have ensured that these bikes are found up trees, in harbours and rivers, and just everywhere. It's described euphemistically as "larrikinism" (which is supposedly a good thing), but mostly it's just vandalism.

      Local councils have passed regulations forcing the hire companies to take more responsibility for their bikes, and contribute to clean-up costs. One company responded by withdrawing from one city, and others may follow.

      2 votes
      1. Bear
        Link Parent
        Mostly the same here. Transit authorities have kicked them all out (with few exceptions, such as bikes with docks) on the condition that they apply for permits (instead of just showing up and...

        Not only do people leave the bikes anywhere after using them, but other enterprising souls have ensured that these bikes are found up trees, in harbours and rivers, and just everywhere. It's described euphemistically as "larrikinism" (which is supposedly a good thing), but mostly it's just vandalism.

        Local councils have passed regulations forcing the hire companies to take more responsibility for their bikes, and contribute to clean-up costs. One company responded by withdrawing from one city, and others may follow.

        Mostly the same here.

        Transit authorities have kicked them all out (with few exceptions, such as bikes with docks) on the condition that they apply for permits (instead of just showing up and DISRUPTing and scattering their crap wherever), and the permits must detail how they will be properly parked. Also, the permits will be restricted to certain capped units of vehicles.

        1 vote
    2. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. Bear
        Link Parent
        It seems to almost be human nature to ruin things. Sort of an offshoot of "I've got mine, screw you!". This doesn't apply to everyone of course, but it is disturbingly common.

        It’s unfortunate that something that seems like a fundamentally decent idea is ruined by the worse parts of human nature.

        It seems to almost be human nature to ruin things.

        Sort of an offshoot of "I've got mine, screw you!".

        This doesn't apply to everyone of course, but it is disturbingly common.