Bronx community say electric scooter expansion is causing concern

More electric scooters are expected to roll into the Bronx, months after they were introduced back in August. However, the expansion of the program is leaving Bronx residents a bit worried.

News 12 Staff

Mar 29, 2022, 1:06 AM

Updated 985 days ago

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More electric scooters are expected to roll into the Bronx, months after they were introduced back in August. However, the expansion of the program is leaving Bronx residents a bit worried.
The expansion is part of the city’s Phase Two Plan, which includes Throgs Neck. News 12 is told it is set to start in June.
Bob Jaen, director of the Throgs Neck Business Improvement District, tells News 12 the BID isn’t for or against electric scooters, but that safety is a big priority - not just for him, but for the businesses and residents.
He says he had a meeting with the city on Monday, where he shared his concerns. Some of those concerns include the scooters being abandoned and laying on the ground and also posing a tripping hazard.
He says any expansion would need to have the businesses and residents' best interest.
"If you're going to give us and force it on us, you're going to do it correctly. You're going to do it where the community and everybody involved with the community - whether they're a business owner or property owner - is well supported,” said Jaen.
The city’s Department of Transportation says they are requiring the electric scooter companies to quickly respond if the scooter is parked improperly.
They added that since the pilot program launched in August, the department’s inspected thousands of shared electric scooters and found the majority parked correctly.