7/9/2019 0 Comments The Potential for Tragedy Shapes the Sidewalks of the United States’ Largest CitiesBy Cole ManionThe sidewalks of Nashville will soon look much different following Mayor David Briley’s decision to ban scooters from operating in his city. Mayor Briley notified several scooter companies present within Nashville of his plans last month citing “public safety and accessibility costs.” With the recent boom in the number of scooter-sharing companies in large cities, it was seemingly inevitable that city governments would begin to crack down on the potential hazards of scooters. This particular announcement follows the city’s first scooter-related death where Bradley Gaulke, 26, was struck by a vehicle and killed while riding a scooter.
Such tragic circumstances involving little regulated industries often result in strict control being enacted on the industry in question to ensure a similar event doesn’t occur again. In the future I think it will be important for every party involved in the scooter business to act in a responsible manner to prevent tragedy. Scooter companies need to adopt strict guidelines that promote the safety of the customers using their services. State and local governments need to properly oversee these companies to make sure unnecessary hazards aren’t being created. Customers need to use scooters in a responsible and mature manner to reduce the risk posed to themselves and others. New technologies often come with difficulty as they are introduced to the public. Now, it is clear that scooters will not be immune to such problems. Any person that has visited a city where scooters are prevalent or used one of the many scooter services present in most large cities understands the benefits they provide. Scooters are affordable transportation that is both easy to access and fun to use. As problems with this booming business continue to let themselves be known, there must be an ongoing conversation that considers both public safety and the great benefits scooters have to offer. While this will be needed in the future, I believe more cities will come out against scooters before companies will enjoy wide-ranging freedom to shape their business as they have thus far. Only thoughtful and considered opinions will help this business improve. It appears that most modes of transportation pose a threat to those who use them, but hopefully the scooter industry will be able to continue to grow while also protecting the safety of its patrons. Photo Credits: lyft.com
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