More cities are looking into e-scooters

For CSUMB students, walking to class to class is just a part of life. But last September, e-scooters were introduced to the campus and they are helping students like Ian Manzo make it to class. “I don’t know, sometimes I park all the way down at the end and it’s just easier to get across and get to class on time,” says Manzo.

E-scooters have become quite the buzz on campus, but now the city of Seaside is looking into expanding them outside the university, and into the city.

Mayor, Ian Oglesby says, “We are already a friendly city, a walkable city. And so, we want to move towards that, and implementation of that is to have scooters and things of that nature.”

Seaside isn’t the only one looking into this. They are accompanied by Monterey, Salinas and Marina, to name a few.

These scooters make it a lot easier to get around town or even campus, but where there are pros, there are always cons.

David Finkelstein has worked at the university since the ’80s. He says, “You know, it’s electric scooters, they get you from here to there shorter than walking. People need to be responsible about them. I don’t like it when they are left in the middle of the pathways, and in front of staircases. People like me you know might trip over them… I’ve had them block parking spaces.”

While local cities are aware of problems with scooter distribution and safety, still, there are no laws requiring scooter riders to wear helmets. That’s why several communities have contacted Monterey County’s Transportation Agency to create some best practices.

Debbie Hale with TAMC says, “We took a look at Santa Monica and San Francisco, and some other cities to see what seems to be working and what are some of the issues that they’ve had and how can we best address them.”

TAMC didn’t create any hard and fast rules, but a sample ordinance that cities can put in place. Things like designated parking spots and safety tips. But not everyone is onboard. Hale says, “Carmel already banned scooters.”

It’s a little too early to know when and if cities like Seaside will fully adopt these scooters. But for Seaside, it could be as early as next summer.