As reported in our blog posted on April 30, 2018, the City Attorney in San Francisco issued a cease and desist order earlier that month, temporarily suspending operations of a number of “e-scooter” vendors in the city and impounding nearly 70 scooters. Just over a week later, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved and added a new provision to the city’s Transportation Code, an ordinance entitled “Powered Scooter Share Parking Restrictions.”
Under the new law, a rented power scooter in the city of San Francisco may not be parked, left standing or left unattended on any street, sidewalk or right-of-way without first obtaining a permit from the SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency). Before obtaining the necessary permit, scooter rental companies must:
- Provide proof of insurance
- Have the capacity to share trip data with city officials
- Implement a privacy policy to protect user information
- Provide education to persons who rent scooters
- File a proposed service area plan (to be approved by the city)
- Have a low-income rental plan in place
The law also states that any scooter left unattended may be considered a public nuisance and may be impounded. The city may also levy fines on the owners of the scooter.
Effective May 1, 2018, the city’s Municipal Transportation Agency has instituted a one year pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the new ordinance. During that time period, only 1,500 permit requests will be granted.
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At Weber & Nierenberg, we place a premium on personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the details of your situation, so that we take the right steps to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to protect your rights after a motorcycle accident injury, you’ll have access to one of our partners at all times.