Cleveland - The City of Cleveland today announced eScooters are now available on city streets. Bird –one of four selected vendors – will have scooters available beginning Aug. 26 in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio City and Tremont. The easiest way to locate a nearby scooter is to download the Bird mobile app.
The three other selected vendors: Lime, Spin and VeoRide are completing the permitting process. When the remaining vendors complete the process – which includes components such as establishing a local presence with staff and brick and mortar location – they will be cleared to operate in the City of Cleveland.
The dockless eScooter and bike share program will operate in the City of Cleveland on a six-month demonstration period. The purpose of the demonstration period is to ensure safety and evaluate impacts of shared mobility use.
The City of Cleveland welcomes public feedback on the operation of scooters and bike shares. Visit planning.cleveland.oh.us/dockless for more info and to leave feedback by clicking the “Feedback Survey” icon.
PARKING INFO
Because scooter and bike share devices are dockless, parking scooters and bikes in the designated areas at the end of a ride is important to keeping sidewalks and roads safe. When ending a ride, look on the sidewalk or on the vendor’s smartphone app for a nearby designated scooter and bike parking area. Vendors may provide an incentive for parking in a designated area.
Riders may also park scooters or bikes anywhere on the sidewalk in the "furniture zone," as long access for others is not blocked. The furniture zone is the area between the curb and the walkway where there may already be trash cans, bus stops, benches and bike racks.
Riders are encouraged to keep an eye out to avoid blocking:
- The pedestrian walkway (leave at least 6 feet of space)
- Bus stops and shelters
- Doorways and emergency exits
- Fire hydrants and standpipes
- Driveways and sidewalk ramps
Scooters and bikes should never be parked in the roadway and should always be left standing upright.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS
As a scooter rider, key things to remember include:
·Ride in the street. Scooter and bike riders should ride in the street with the flow of traffic, using bike lanes where possible.
·Don't get stranded. Under City regulations for the six-month demonstration, scooter vendors are required to deactivate the devices between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Keep this in mind when planning your rides.
·Be visible. Never assume a driver sees you. Ride at least three feet from the curb so you are in the line of sight of other road users.
·Be predictable. Follow all traffic laws, including stopping when the traffic light is red. Avoid weaving and riding erratically.
·Ride smart. Don't carry objects that keep you from controlling the scooter or bike. Don't be distracted or ride with headphones. Don't drink and ride. Don't ride more than one person per device.
·Wear a helmet. Permitted vendors are required to give you a free helmet upon request.
Motor vehicle drivers should keep the following in mind:
·Share the road. People riding scooters and bikes are allowed on the road.
·Don't drive distracted. Be alert and watch out for slower moving road users like people on scooters and bikes.
·Pass safely. Drivers may pass people on scooters and bikes if there are at least three feet between the motor vehicle and the rider. Where possible, change lanes to pass.
·Look before you leave. When you park on the street, check your blind spot to make sure you will not hit a scooter or bike rider when you open your door.
·Be patient. Everyone on the road wants to get where they are going quickly and safely.
Photo by: GrashAlex / Getty Images
Hear news updates at the top and bottom of the hour:wtam.com/listen
© 2019 iHeartMedia, Inc