Atlanta city leaders to discuss regulations for motorized scooters

ATLANTA - Atlanta city leaders plan to meet Friday to discuss stricter regulations on motorized scooters.

Over recent months, more people have been riding the scooters on city sidewalks and trails. And on Tuesday, one driver captured a picture of a man riding a Bird scooter on the interstate, which is considered against the law.

People have spoken with FOX 5 and shared their concerns about the scooters' speeds in pedestrian
areas as well as their worries about riders who leave the vehicles in areas that obstruct traffic when they reach their destinations.

Atlanta City Council Member Matt Westmoreland and others believe the city's motorized vehicle ordinance should be amended to include rules for 'dockless' vehicles. For example, in most cases when people use these ride-sharing scooters, they log onto an app to find the scooter closest to them and pay as they go.

Westmoreland believes there is a balance that city leaders can find that will allow people to enjoy the new technology without jeopardizing everyone's safety.

He says the group will consider options such as, possibly, limiting the number of scooters in a given area as well as regulating the number of staff who should be dedicated to monitoring the vehicles. He also says the group will look into amending insurance and permit policies that these type of companies must follow in order to operate within city limits.

The city will hold a work session to discuss various options. That meeting begins at 10 a.m. Friday at Atlanta City Hall. Westmoreland adds representatives from several motorized, ride-sharing scooter companies will also be present.