Danger to pedestrians and trip-and-fall hazards are just some of the many concerns over electric scooters or e-scooters, which may make their debut in New York City in the near future. According to a news report on Jalopnik.com, Bird, the company that makes these e-scooters, recently hosted a demo of its products in preparation for legislation that aims to make the company’s scooter-sharing service legal on city streets. The electric scooter is the latest darling of the mobility world, but they are not yet legal in New York City.
Are E-Scooters a Public Nuisance?
While e-scooters do have a lot of potential in terms of attracting a diverse group of people who are looking for an easier, more fun way of getting around the city, they have also been the source of numerous complaints in cities around the country – from the beaches of Los Angeles to the crowded streets of Nashville – where they are being labeled as a public nuisance.
Some of the common complaints in these cities include how e-scooter riders flout the rules by riding them on the sidewalk and causing serious injuries to pedestrians by crashing into them. In Southern California, pedestrians have reported numerous injuries ranging from head trauma to broken bones. There is also the issue of these scooters being left on sidewalks after being used, posing trip-and-fall hazards to pedestrians. Several injuries have been reported as a result of trip-and-fall incidents as well. As a consequence, these scooters are being labeled and viewed as a public nuisance, by some people.
How Do E-Scooters Work?
Rechargeable batteries fuel electric scooters. These scooters have a travel range of 10 to 40 miles. The motor of the electric scooter is mounted on the frame and the electricity that is produced in the battery is transmitted back to the motor through a network of wires. Depending on the type and model of the scooter, the motor might either make the front wheel or both the wheels rotate and push the scooter forward. These e-scooters may reach speeds of 15 mph.
E-scooters are dockless scooters you may rent by the minute. While battery-powered scooters have been available to riders for years, these scooters have GPS trackers and wireless connectivity. In addition to Bird, companies like Lime and Spin offer fleets of these scooters to consumers. You may rent a scooter by using an app just as you might call an Uber or Lyft ride. The idea of e-scooters has its origins in China where park-anywhere bikes such as Jump Bike and LimeBike became extremely popular.
Are They a Good Idea for New York City
As personal injury lawyers, we believe that any such endeavor must be well thought out. Considering the experience of other cities around the country, it might be best to put the brakes on e-scooters until it becomes clear how this industry is going to be regulated. There are a number of questions and concerns right now. Does New York City have traffic laws in place to regulate these new vehicles? Who will be held liable for injuries that are caused to pedestrians who are either struck by a scooter rider or who end up tripping and falling on a scooter that is carelessly left on a sidewalk? Will scooter riders be required under the law to wear helmets? In our opinion, there are a number of safety issues that must be addressed before this program can be approved in New York City.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or by a negligent driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 46 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
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Source: https://jalopnik.com/will-e-scooters-be-a-disaster-for-new-york-city-1828745657