San Francisco to Temporarily Remove e-Scooters Until Permit Granted

How long will SF be scooter free for?

Last week, San Francisco city offcials announced that electric scooter companies (Bird, LimeBike, and Spin) must remove their shared electric scooters from the city’s sidewalks by June 4 and apply for permits and wait for approval.  If they do not remove their scooters by then, each companies respective scooters will be at risk of impound and fines of up to $100 per scooter.

Rachel Starr, a spokeswoman for Spin, said the company would remove its scooters and is working on its application.

LimeBikes also said it would comply.

“We are excited to apply for a permit and will comply with the city’s request that all electric scooters be removed by June 4,” the firm said in a statement.

Bird spokesman Kenneth Baer said: “We look forward to working closely with the SFMTA to obtain a permit. In just a short time, tens of thousands of San Franciscans have ridden more than 100,000 miles on Birds. The demand for a way to get around San Francisco that does not add to congestion or carbon emissions is clear, and we look forward to meeting it in the days to come.”

The city of San Francisco is not messing around.

Scooter companies have until June 7 to apply with a $5,000 fee for SFMTA’s Powered Scooter Share Permit Program. The permit fee will run $25,000. Permitted electric scooter companies must then pony up an additional $10,000 for related costs. Companies must also share trip data with the city.

“San Francisco supports transportation innovation, but it cannot come at the price of public safety,” said City Attorney Dennis Herrera. “This permit program represents a thoughtful, coordinated and effective approach to ensure that San Francisco strikes the right balance. We can have innovation, but it must keep our sidewalks safe and accessible for all pedestrians. We can have convenience, but it can’t sacrifice privacy and equity along the way.”

Source: Curbed SF