Atlanta

Mayor bans nighttime use of e-scooters in Atlanta

By Dave Huddleston, WSB-TV
By Dave Huddleston, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she has directed the Department of City Planning to implement a daily ban of electric scooters from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

According to the mayor, no permitted e-scooter or electric bike will be rentable during that time.

The ban goes into effect Friday.

The Department of City Planning has told e-scooter and e-bike companies operating in Atlanta of the change in policy and requested that they disable devices during the "No Ride Zone."

There have been four scooter deaths in the last year.

On Aug. 6, Quienterry McGriff was riding an e-scooter around 6:30 a.m. at Semmes Street and Norman Berry Drive in Atlanta when he was hit by an oil truck. The driver stayed at the scene and won't face any charges.

Amber Ford, 34, was riding an e-scooter July 27 on 14th Street near Crescent Avenue when she was struck by a car, which left the scene. She was later taken off life support.

TRENDING STORIES:

Brad Alexander, 37, was hit and killed by a CobbLinc bus near the Arts Center MARTA station as he headed home from an Atlanta United game July 14.

In May, 20-year-old Eric Amis Jr. was hit and killed near the West Lake MARTA station.

"We want the change to the streets faster. We want every measure that we can to make people safe to be in place so that we won't have a ban and people can ride them 24 hours a day," Atlanta's planning commissioner, Tim Keane, said.

But street changes could take time. Keane said the city has got to create more bike and scooter lanes so riders aren't in the same lane as trucks and cars.

"Because we have the ability right now to improve this, we must do that," Keane said.

Last Monday, Bottoms said she would not permit any more scooter companies to operate in the city, and in February, she limited the number of companies altogether.

Some riders Channel 2's Dave Huddleston spoke to said they are in favor of the nighttime ban.

"I think a ban between those hours, when it's dark and a lot of cars may not be able to see you, I think it would be in the best interests of the city and the people," scooter rider Tri Phung said.

However, a scooter contractor said 9 p.m. is a peak time for riders and the ban could hurt business. He is hoping the ban is temporary.

Cox Media Group

Most Read