WATCH OUT! There’s a scooter coming through! You might need to be more alert when crossing the street or just strolling in your neighborhood these days. There’s a new way of getting around in Eastern Queens and they’ve become an option for many. Thomas A. Edison is one of many schools that exist in the service map. A survey was conducted to find out how the Edison community feels about the scooter services being present near school grounds.
Bird, Lime, and Veo—which are names of the scooter services—have limited accessibility, depending on a service map (as shown in image A). For residents living within the mapped boundaries, scooters may be just a few steps away—sometimes literally at their doorsteps. This convenience allows some students to consider using the service to school as an alternative to taking the bus. But could these two-wheelers realistically replace traditional school transportation?
According to the survey, many respondents have either not used the scooters or are unsure of how to access them. This may be due to a lack of awareness, confusion about the apps required, or uncertainty about safety rules and age restrictions. With not much knowledge on how to properly interact with the apps or the services, many have yet to experience using the two wheelers.
Those that have used the E-scooters believe there should be more bike lanes installed or traffic updates for the safety of the riders. When it comes to safety, the responses were mixed. Many members of the Edison community expressed neutrality, while others leaned toward feeling unsafe.
In particular, one respondent shared an alarming incident: “One time I was on the bus and I looked out the window to see one of those scooters on fire, and it wasn’t just a small fire, the whole scooter was on fire.” In a unexpected scene, you could probably imagine this would be concerning safety hazards within a school territory.
“I was going down a hill and they came barreling towards me. Two of them were on one, which I don’t think is allowed,” said another respondent. Taking advantage of these rules goes against scooter policies, “No more than one rider per vehicle is allowed,” which clearly states in their rules and regulations. There is no real way of tracking whether these users are abiding by the regulations.
The NYPD has been cracking down on other forms of e-scooters that surpass certain speeds and break local traffic laws. However, these shared scooter services are capped at a speed of 17 mph to stay compliant with NYC regulations.
While these may be rare cases, it can reflect concerns about the reliability and maintenance of these shared devices.
On the contrary, some believe that these e-scooter provide effective access to getting somewhere within a short period of time. With a tap of the phone, you can throttle your way to your destination.
Trains and buses have been the ordinary way of getting around but require several wait times. If waiting is not your style, then going up to a scooter can continue your journey.
Beyond convenience, there’s also an environmental benefit. E-scooters promote the use of zero emissions while helping reduce car traffic and pollution. This would benefit the city’s goal of constantly battling congestion and air quality issues. For some, using an e-scooter is a small way of reducing their carbon footprint.
In June 2024, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) officially launched the E-Scooter Share program in Eastern Queens, following a successful pilot run in the Bronx. While the new mode of transportation offers exciting possibilities for mobility, convenience, and even sustainability, it also brings challenges related to safety, access, and awareness.
As the Edison community continues to adapt to new methods of getting around Queens, e-scooter services should take more safety initiatives while also making them accessible to those who would benefit most.
With one rider at a time, we may see more people transitioning into eco-friendly options of transportation.
