Student walks around campus with a Lime scooter which can be found around campus after Lime and Ohio State partnered together last week. Credit: Amal Saeed | Assistant Photo Editor
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced on Wednesday a set of proposed legislation and emergency regulations for electric scooters and dockless bikes, which would include Lime and Bird devices that are already in the city.
Ginther said in a video uploaded by the city of the Wednesday press conference, that the legislation included keeping the scooters off sidewalks and introducing safety precautions, such as yielding to pedestrians, navigating traffic and bike lanes and following traffic laws.
“We must be nimble in protecting safety without stifling innovation,” Ginther said at the press conference.
Along with the legislation, Ginther announced emergency rules, banning scooter use from sidewalks. He said he expects the emergency rules to be in place by next week.
“Once legislation is in place, we’ll be able to ticket for violations,” Ginther said.
The Lantern reported on Aug. 28 that the university imposed guidelines for scooters, aligning with Columbus’s previously announced rules, which included limiting the speeds of the devices and restricting device parking. Requiring scooters to be on the road was not one included.
“During this process, we are reviewing best practices, and consulting with the city of Columbus, with the goal of enhancing both transportation and safety on campus,” Dan Hedman, a university spokesman, said in a statement last week.
According to Transportation and Traffic Management’s website, students will now no longer be allowed to ride Lime or Bird scooters on sidewalks, including The Oval.
The legislation proposed by Ginther will be presented to the Columbus City Council by the end of the week.
