Not only are electric scooters causing controversy when they are being ridden, but also when they’re not, due to how riders ‘dump’ them when they’ve finished, especially rental scooters, causing obstacles on pavements and inconvenience, as well as accidents, for pedestrians.
It is well documented how angry people are by scooters being ridden recklessly, without helmets, on pavements, in pedestrianised zones, across zebra crossings, or on roads they shouldn’t be, but the parking of them is now becoming just as big a problem.
Tourists and residents alike are sick of having to move to avoid them or step over them when left in unauthorized places, making it difficult for people to pass, endangering the safety of pedestrians. Just last week an elderly man in his 80s was injured after tripping over one just dumped on the side of the road, and there are more and more reports of people getting hurt by being knocked over by electric scooters, and another elderly man who lost his life after when he was run over in the south of Tenerife.
Given this situation, what solutions can be applied to avoid the problem of bad parking for electric scooters? Here are some suggestions that the authorities should take note of and implement, and rental companies should inform users of more than they are now:
Comply with and enforce current regulations.
Electric scooters are subject to a series of regulations for their use and parking on public roads. For example, according to the DGT, they must circulate in cycle lanes or on roads, not on pavements or pedestrianised areas, and riders must wear a helmet and have lights and a bell on their scooters.
In addition, they must park in designated areas, without invading pedestrian spaces or causing disturbance to other vehicles. These rules must be made more known and be respected by riders of electric scooters, and reiterated by rental companies, as well as being monitored and sanctioned by the competent authorities in cases of non-compliance.
Remove improperly parked electric scooters.
Municipal towing services should be able to remove improperly parked electric scooters without red tape and transfer them to the appropriate municipal depot.
In addition, report and process the corresponding fine, which must be paid by the offender, even if the scooter belongs to a rental company. This measure aims to dissuade uncivil users from leaving them anywhere they want and make them aware of the importance of parking correctly.
Create specific parking areas for electric scooters.
Another possible solution is to create new spaces exclusively for parking electric scooters at strategic points without taking existing car and motorcycle parking spaces.
These areas could be marked and equipped with bars or padlocks to secure the vehicles to. Rental scooters should be clamped to a credit or debit card payment system that, until the vehicle is parked in places authorized for it, does not stop charging the user up to a limit of 300 euros, which is enough money to cover a fine and remove the vehicle from the depot in case the municipal tow trucks pick it up.
This would prevent electric scooters from occupying pavements or parking spaces intended for other vehicles, and would also help prevent them from being stolen or knocked over, and guarantee the rental company that it can pay the fines for its offending users.
Inform and denounce cases of bad parking.
Citizens could also collaborate in solving the problem of bad parking for electric scooters by reporting and denouncing it when they witness it. Administrations could set up an easily accessible information channel for anyone to make the corresponding complaint in an easy and effective way, which also works to report problems with cyclists who fail to comply with DGT regulations.
You can also contact the Local Police or the corresponding Town Hall to report the incident; however, it is already known that this method isn’t working as efficiently as it should.
Promote driver education.
Riders of electric scooters must be aware that their use implies responsibility and respect for others. For this reason, it is important that they find out about the rules and comply with them, that they drive carefully, and that they park correctly.
Improve infrastructure and signage.
Electric scooters need to have adequate space to circulate and park in different cities and towns. For this reason, it is important that the infrastructure and signalling of public roads be improved to facilitate their use by improving cycle lanes or installing traffic lights and specific signs to improve safety and fluidity of traffic.
Engage electric scooter rental companies.
The rental companies also have an important role in solving the problem of bad parking. It is important that they become more involved in the management and control of their scooters, and that they collaborate with the authorities and citizens in the prevention and reporting of infractions.
They should also offer incentives or penalties to their clients depending on their behaviour, and limit the number and distribution of their vehicles according to the demand and size of the city or town. This would prevent the abuse and misuse of their scooters and would contribute to a more sustainable and orderly mobility for everyone.
