A number of scooter companies apparently have drawn up a list and map of where they want the City to install “scooter corrals” throughout Ocean Beach. They call them “Micro-Mobility Parking Corrals”.
The OB Planning Board was sent the list of locations and maps by the Mayors office. And the Mayor’s office wants feedback by June 10th.
Similar to what was implemented Downtown, and to avoid impacting on-street parking spaces , the locations selected were based on utilizing red curb spaces that :
- Do not block fire hydrants
- Do not block visibility
- Do not impact the adjacent travel lane width
Here are larger versions of the maps and locations:
Click on image for a larger version.
Click on the image for a larger version.
Click on image for a larger version.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, well, let me be the first to register my complaint. Really? Private companies are now going to usurp these public spaces…I’m not even going to enlarge that fine print to count how many green dots as it will just annoy me even more. So now the City, who works for ME, is expected to install these ‘parking spaces’ for private scooter companies so they don’t litter the streets and endanger pedestrians?! So they don’t have to corral their own vehicles in spaces that they themselves should be providing for vehicles that they should be “policing and monitoring”?!
So now, as a taxpayer, it becomes MY problem when the scooters are dumped outside ‘the line’, or nearby (aka as, likely, occupying a parking space or public sidewalk).
And this a solution? Its absurd and I’m still calling ENCROACHMENT. I say back to the drawing board!!
Throw this plan in the trash. Public space is not for use by private companies to profit whenever they wish. Who is going to maintain these spaces? What if this space sits in front of someone’s house? What kind of rent are we the taxpayers getting for use of such of our space? Who voted for this mayor and why?
I just looked and one of these sits directly in front of my house. We have a baby and already deal with a lot of noise from drunken revelers, especially in the summer months when windows are open due to no AC…. how do I lodge a complaint????
Public space is public: Bang a gong, scooters be gone !
They can pay to park in lots!
When the homeless encroach: they get a ticket
Scooter companies should first work with local businesses to provide these “corrals”. Bird, Lime and all the rest should be happy to pay for space provided by local businesses including all insurance costs & taxes associated with the “corrals”. An additional charge for cleaning each scooter between uses might be an option too, with tax incentives going to local businesses that provide this service for helping fight another San Diego Hep A outbreak.
Helmeted & licensed scooter users can simply head to a local business hosting a “corral” identified on the app (local businesses would get free advertising on the scooter company apps), rent their scooter, ride around safely (never on sidewalks) and return the rental to the local “corral”. Simple. Revenue for the scooter rental companies, revenue for local businesses, tax revenue to the city. Even better, the local business may have snacks and water available for purchase once the weary but pleased scooter renters get back.
And the same goes for the Uber/Jump, et al, rental bikes, too! Alright!!
All scooters and bikes not returned to the “corrals” would be charged until the unit is returned to the proper “corral”. While this may seem to be a penalty of sorts, it actually gives scooter users a sense of responsibility and pride in their scooter use. This charge could be released in full or in part to local homeless outreach programs, youth programs or similar. Responsible scooter users can earn actual “Golden Star Stickers” and apply them to their helmets. Naturally they’d get virtual “Golden Stars” that are applied to their “scooter user community” user-profiles.
None of you posting would be happy with anything short of a ban or something that essentially wipes out the use of them.
They want the City to install?! I’m with everyone else here, this is not for the city to do. Judging by the plethora of green dots, it does not look like an improvement. As for you Tyler, just because folks are critical of this plan, that doesn’t mean they want them all gone. I, for one, am sick and tired of finding the things in the middle of sidewalks. Last night, I found one lying on its side on the river bike path while running. They need to set up a fine for users who keep leaving these things with no thought of anyone else.
Tyler, that’s taxpayer’s $, manpower, and property spent on these few private companies! There’s no reason why these companies shouldn’t purchase their own 1/2 acre lots, just like ACE parking or anyone else, and establish them as scooter parking lots if they want their bikes to live within the area. Then, any scooter not returned to the lot- too bad so sad- maybe it gets thrown out or stolen, maybe the rider has to cough up the cost, just as one would if a rental car isn’t returned. To have faith that these companies are actually going to drive around checking to see if their scooters are properly parked in little corrals…just not going to happen, and the onus of removal, re-positioning, or whatever becomes the problem of the adjacent dweller/owner/renter.
And Vern’s idea of local businesses providing space in return for some kind of comp? Yeah I can see where that would go- hark back to the “table and chairs on sidewalks” encroachment debacle two years ago.
This is a very ill-conceived plan that literally ‘steals’ public space to provide a for-profit company a way to avoid responsibility and management of their product.
The value and ‘green-ness” of scooters in general is a whole different topic that has been previously discussed elsewhere on the Rag. Personally, I don’t believe they contribute to carbon offset or any other greenwashing that comes with the bandwagon. Its just a joy-toy, like a dune buggy, a paddle boat, or a trendy gadget that appeals largely to vacationers and beach goers. Why should the taxpayer pay for the care and feeding of someone else’s recreational toy? :-)
We live on Ebers. The only retail business on our street is at the corner of Voltaire, the rest is all residential until Point Loma Ave. The map indicates desired parking spots on every single intersection, most with multiple corners indicated on Ebers. We live on a corner and our curbs have yet to be painted red. We are sick of hauling the darn things off our lawn & retaining wall! There is no consideration for landscaping in the parking strips either. The scooter company should be fined for every documented interference with private property, and they should pay reimbursement to homeowners for damages!
https://www.scootscoop.com/
haha, Vern! Oy! How come I’m not surprised?! Now we have a whole company dedicated to removing the blight! Once again, the dweller just has to go to the nuisance of downloading an app (and let’s assume that every dweller, except me, has a smart phone/downloads any and all apps all the time/and is willing to go to the trouble) to get these things either off his/her property, or parking space, or impediment to wheelchair, stroller, bike, etc…. I just have nothing else to say about this particular solution :-)
Good morning RB, even more Scoot Scoop! For private property owners in San Diego, call 858-262-1912. Email: support@scootscoop.com and, of course, there’s the app.
A bit like SD’s “Get It Done” app, but with focus on the dockless e-waste cluttering the sidewalks, public and private property and available to folks with landlines and/or access to basic computers (like those at the public library).