Regulating electric scooters has been a major problem for some cities around Georgia.
A state Senate committee has now formed to look into e-scooters and how they’re used locally and statewide.
State Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville, said he realizes that e-scooters are an alternative way for tourists, residents, and students to get around to their destination.
But, he also knows some may see them as a nuisance.
So, the goal of this new committee, that Ginn was just appointed to, is to find a happy medium.
“Nobody wants to trip over a scooter that’s clogging a sidewalk or have somebody that’s riding a scooter run them down … That’s a problem,” Ginn said. “So, what role does the state have in that issue and what role does the local government have? And, so we’ll be working with our partners in the city and county governments to make sure that when we try to help all our citizens with the transportation issues, we don’t block pathways for people to get around.”
The five-member panel is called the Senate Evaluating E-Scooters and Other Innovative Mobility Options for Georgians Study Committee.
It may cover slow speed zones, city ordinances, temporary bans on college campuses and best practices.
“This past year, there was a fatality with one of the scooters,” Ginn said. “Occasionally, you’ll get an accident. Do we want to require any kind of protective safety gear? I know [Atlanta] just recently implemented a speed limit for scooters on the Beltline. There’s a lot of things that you look at.”
The committee has until Dec. 1, 2019 to reports its findings.
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