INDIANAPOLIS — In the past few weeks, two dockless electic scooter companies, Lime and Bird, set up in Indianapolis. After complaints from the public, the Public Works committee took up the issue and passed on a revised ordinance proposal to the full Council. An earlier proposal would have banned the scooters.
The revised proposal allows the companies to operate in Indianapolis, if they pay a $15,000 yearly license fee, plus a use fee of $1 per day for every scooter rented. In addition, the proposal limits how many scooters can be deployed, and limits where they can be used and parked. Many complaints have been heard about the scooters being ridden on public sidewalks and on public greenways such as the Monon Trail, where motorized vehicles are prohibited. However, scooter users note that riding the scooters on streets with cars is hazardous.
Representatives from the two companies were on hand at the meeting. The committee will likely continue to modify the ordinance proposal up to the July 16 Council meeting, when a vote will be taken.