EDITORIAL: San Diego’s new scooter rules look good — but will they be enforced?

Feb. 14--The use of dockless scooters has exploded in San Diego, pleasing many who welcome having a convenient transportation alternative and perturbing others who see riders being dangerous or oblivious, or who see abandoned scooters as eyesores.

Now Mayor Kevin Faulconer has proposed rules for scooters as well as dockless bikes that require companies to get permits, have liability insurance and pay annual fees of $150 per device; that limit the speeds of scooters in congested areas and ban them from being left at beach boardwalks and around Petco Park; and that require operators to pick up abandoned scooters and bikes within three hours. The sheer scope of Faulconer's proposal makes it appear well-reasoned and well-crafted at first blush.

But given some scooter users' recklessness, San Diegans should be careful with praise until they see the rules the City Council approves being vigorously enforced. This is just the first step city leaders must take to keep everyone safe in the public right-of-way.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion

___

(c)2019 The San Diego Union-Tribune

Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune at www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.