The Woodstock City Council has advanced a measure that would ban “Sharable Mobility Devices” – scooters for rent – from city streets and sidewalks.
The council on Monday accepted on first reading an ordinance that declares it unlawful to provide, operate or “park or abandon” any sharable mobility device – dockable or dockless, available for rent to the public – “anywhere within the city of Woodstock city limits.”
The measure, applicable to motorized and non-motorized scooters and bicycles, returns for a second reading and final vote June 10.
An exemption allows Woodstock or affiliates authorized by the city to offer such devices to the public. This exempts the existing municipal bike-share program for local trails, or anyone else who reaches an agreement with the city, Dakota Carruthers, process planner for the city, told council members.
Woodstock took up the issue after a local resident, Chris Conti, died in March in an accident involving an e-scooter in San Diego. Conti had served as chairman of Woodstock’s parks and recreation advisory board.
About the Author
