The Pros and Cons of Dockless Shareable Mobility Devices
Dockless shareable mobility devices (e-scooters & e-bikes) can be a blessing or a curse. It depends on who you ask. In Atlanta, people have a range of opinions. Some love them for the convenience and ease of use they offer. Others dislike the way people park them-or don't-among other factors.
No matter where you fall on the spectrum, it's good to know why you have those feelings about them. That way if you run into a dockless advocate or opponent at a holiday party, you can "well, actually" them into surrender.
Love 'Em
Like water fountains in public or trash collection, dockless shareable mobility devices are a service meant to make our lives a little easier. You might cry foul if you don't ride a scooter or a bicycle. How do these devices help you on your way to work, you may wonder? I urge you to imagine your last rush hour commute. Now imagine even more cars on the road. If that image sends chills down your spine, the thought of folks riding scooters and bicycles instead will have enormous appeal.
Hate 'Em
Who do these people think they are? Leaving scooters in doorways, parking them in front of car doors and bus stops, clogging up the sidewalk and breaking all the rules. The bad actors in the world of dockless shareable mobility device systems have left you feeling sore.
Can't We All Just Get Along?
"There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy. There's only you and me and we just disagree" - Dave Mason, "We Just Disagree"
Whether you fall into one category or another, the fact of the matter is dockless shareable mobility devices are going to be around for a while. The people who want to use them will keep using them, and it's up to all of us to work together to keep the streets and sidewalks of Atlanta safe.
It all starts with the riders. By following the city's regulations, you can protect yourself and everyone around you. The people driving to work and walking down the sidewalks of our fair city thank you. Those who don't use these systems have a civic duty as well. Watch out for folks using these devices and keep an open mind.
In the grand race to make it to work on time, to get to our friends and family, and to operate powerful vehicles and less powerful ones alike in a complex traffic infrastructure while following all laws and regulations, we owe it to each other to be kind. After all, kindness is also dockless, mobile, and shareable for everyone.
Part 2. What are the rules for e-scooters & bikes?
Part 3. What are the average costs & savings for e-scooters & bikes?