No scooters on sidewalks? City Council passes new ordinance

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council passed new rules Monday concerning the electric scooters that are scattered throughout the city.

Channel 2's Richard Elliot broke the news on Twitter.

Under the new ordinance, the scooters will not be allowed on sidewalks, only on city streets, bike lanes and shared-use paths.

Every scooter company will have to pay a permit fee of at least $12,000 a year and have a plan to educate riders about safety and helmet use.

Also, only one rider will be allowed on a scooter and will not be able to use a cellphone while riding one.

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Scooter speeds will also be limited to 15 mph under the ordinance.

The new ordinance needs to be signed by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Once she signs it, the new rules will go into effect immediately.

Channel 2's Michael Seiden spoke with riders Monday night, hours after the ordinance was passed.

"I get it. It would be better to have a helmet and things like that, but I think people get to make their own decisions," a rider told Seiden.

"I do think it needs to be regulated somehow because of how many there are and they're actually dangerous," another rider said.

Some riders said they are very concerned that they will now be forced to pay higher fees because scooter companies will have to pay annual fees.

Seiden tried to contact the companies, but as of Monday evening, he has not gotten a response.

Cox Media Group