Fort Wayne City Council rejected a proposal Tuesday night that would have sharpened and refined regulations around the city’s scooter rental program.
The ordinance failed 7-2; opposing Council members noted some of the proposed changes would have been unfairly limiting to certain residents.
The city has more than 500 electric scooters provided by e-scooter company VeoRide, which residents have used throughout downtown since 2019.
Council passed a measure earlier that year with regulations should a scooter sharing program come to Fort Wayne. Tuesday’s ordinance sought to bolster those regulations, by adding an age limit of 18 or older to operate one, no use within the boundaries of a special event, and a limit of one person per scooter, among others.
A violation of these regulations could result in fines anywhere from $50 to $2,500, as well as seizure of the “dockless vehicle” if it is being used inappropriately.
City officials argue they want this pilot program to succeed, but in order for it to do that they want to ensure safety for all users.
3rd District Republican Tom Didier was one of the opposing votes. He says the main complaints he gets from constituents are abandoned scooters on street corners, but called the proposed fines “salty.”
“I don’t have a problem with a 14, 15, 16 riding these, so long as they’re behaving in a proper manner. If you’re wanting them on the streets as opposed to sidewalks, I think that might be part of the issue you’re having.”
The city administration, police department and Council will collaborate to develop a new set of plans over the next couple of months.
