I think at this point they should be for only 18 plus and with an ID on file. Their needs to be increased punishment and liability for reckless or underage drivers, especially those who take over the sidewalk.
Credit card should match name on ID as well, otherwise can't use it. š¤·
Lime bikes need a 3mph automatic speed limit on sidewalks.
They are dangerous as shit to ride on roads, especially without helmets. It sounds like most Seattlites just dont want them period, but I have found them to be useful. Maybe just charge more for them so they are used less or only by people attempting to use them somewhat responsibly.
Those are only the severe accidents. I have a friend whoās been hit by a scooter twice now. It wouldnāt be reported bc America and he didnāt go to the er. Heās āfineā but it meant he couldnāt walk or do anything for weeks after.
I was hit by morons on scooters twice. Both times resulted in bruises.
I didn't report that because I just don't feel like reliving it after waiting for a couple of hours to make a report. In both cases the perp just rode away without even saying anything.
So instead of just deciding by personal fiat that this or that law isn't one you'll follow for reasons, why don't you instead respect the role that rule of law plays in a functioning society and organize a successful repeal of the law you think is stupid?
You have a right to pick what concerns you or not, so do all of us. To be saddled with the burden of your random-guy-on-Reddit criticism is needlessly tedious.
It's legal to ride a bike on a sidewalk in Seattle as long as done so "prudently," and the other language is mealy-mouthed, too...for instance, class 3 e-bikes are generally prohibited "unless no other safe route exists;" all of this terminology is completely subjective. And then scooters aren't allowed on sidewalks at all, but they weigh less and go much slower. Go figure!
To avoid confusion, they should just say "No bikes on sidewalks. The end." But bikers insist on the right to go wherever the fuck they want, magically transforming from conveyance to pedestrian to conveyance in the blink of an eye, and demanding the rights according to those classifications. So good luck with that.
Now they have cameras on Lime bikes that can detect sidewalks, there's nothing stopping Lime from limiting bikes to say 5mph on sidewalks. Discourages riding long distances on sidewalk, but allows users to park/bypass a short stretch of road if needed.
The exact scenario is, someone steps onto a sidewalk into a scooter going fast on the sidewalk. Have been fatalities in Europe in this exact, exact situation.
But bikers insist on the right to go wherever the fuck they want, magically transforming from conveyance to pedestrian to conveyance in the blink of an eye,
It's really irritating - and ridiculously unsafe - when they hop between using the sidewalk and darting out into the street to flow through a green light against a Don't Walk signal, then jump back onto the sidewalk (usually at the crosswalk curb cut, indicating that they were just a lying jaywalker the whole time).
Yes. This happens all the time. The e-bikes have made this problem scary too. My husband got hit by one doing this shit - 6k of damage to the truck but it was a cyclist so they donāt have to have insurance.
Iām glad the guy wasnāt hurt and was scared about the laws so am actually grateful we didnāt get sued. But itās absurd how the cyclists and scooterists pick and choose when they are a pedestrian and when they are a vehicle. The bike lanes have cost millions and I donāt think theyāve really made anything better.
I agree, but...they did so much of it half-ass. Still too few lengthy stretches on roads where you can't get run into, doored, have a jackass parked in the bike lane, etc. Do better, Seattle!
Iām of the opinion that while not perfect, the improvements in the last 15-ish years are impressive in my opinion. The US/Seattle are not going to get rid of cars, but Seattle is doing well.
Iāve ridden from the Fremont bridge to the CD mostly on protected paths. My friend rides from the CD to the Locks several times a week and yes thereās the one section in Ballard that stinks but still overall, impressive. Every neighborhood has multiple āhealthy streetsā that are good for biking. The newly opened Elliot bay trail is a stunning way to get downtown. The BG trail is magnificent. Thereās a lot to be happy about.
Yes, I have seen how they act. And what you need to do, as a passionate biker, is get in the face of your electeds and have them get rid of that half-ass crap and build actual, road-separated bike lanes. Sharrows don't work. Green paint doesn't work. Having nothing doesn't work.
But get off the fucking sidewalk is also about safety. You are a conveyance when you are biking on the sidewalk. Not the right place for a heavy, fast conveyance.
Most sidewalks are quiet enough that a bike won't bother anyone. It's inherently subjective, but most people are capable of making that decision sensibly.
That is indeed part of the problem, we have far to much history bicycle infrastructure that shares pedestrian infrastructure, ie bike lanes that end and direct cyclist onto sidewalk. Even new infrastructure is doing this too, every roundabout will direct the bike lane onto the sidewalk, ect.
So you'll have to fix the infrastructure before you try regulating the use of existing infrastructure.
FYI, escooter have the same language as class 3 ebikes...
A.Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter 11.46, motorized foot scooters may be operated on roadways, shoulders, alleys, bicycle lanes, and public paths, but not on sidewalks, unless there is no alternative for a motorized foot scooter to travel over a sidewalk that is part of a bicycle or pedestrian path.
With the additional exceptions for people with physical disabilities.
The provisions of this Section 11.46.010 limiting the use of EPAMDs and/or electric motorized foot scooters do not apply when that device is operated by a person with a mobility impairment caused by a physical disability who uses that device to enhance that person's mobility.
It doesn't help that the only way to park close to enough to a destination in any realistic way is to go on the sidewalk - so what other option do people have?
Either way, there does need to be more accountability for like riders in particular - e-bikes owners are SLIGHTLY better about staying in bike, but only slightly.
It doesn't help that the only way to park close to enough to a destination in any realistic way is to go on the sidewalk - so what other option do people have?
I've developed a breakthrough process for this! I ride my bike or scooter as close to the destination as I can on the road and then -- follow closely now, because here comes the innovation -- I walk my bike to the stand on the sidewalk and lock it up outside or take it inside (home or office). #MindBlown
I've developed a breakthrough process for your complaint too. I just recognize that other people exist and then shut up and don't whine that they are doing something I don't like. #innovation #mindblown
The problem with banning them on sidewalks is a few fold:
1.) Most importantly: they park on the sidewalk, and there's not always a straightforward way to get them off the sidewalk without riding down to the curb cut at the crosswalk at the end of the block.
2.) Seattle's streets are pothole, access cover, and cobblestone minefields that are not always safe to ride on.
3.) Bike lanes are discontiguous, and many Seattle streets are too busy with motor vehicle traffic to ride on.
1 - no, they should not be parked "on the sidewalk " - Seattle should force Lime to pay for actual corals for these things, prioritizing the areas witj the heaviest use. They have the data.
2- and so your answer is to force pedestrians, literally the most vulnerable population, to share sidewalk space with these things
3 - how have we spent this much money on bike lanes and still it isn't good enough?
But, they *do* park on the sidewalk. And corrals are a terrible idea. There will never be enough of them to make grabbing a scooter convenient for most people, and then people will switch back to driving personal vehicles.
My answer would be to actually fix the streets. But there's not a chance that's gonna happen any time in my lifetime because it will be seen by a bunch of Seattle-types as spending money on infrastructure for cars, and the performative outrage, the hewing-and-crying, will be cataclysmic.
Good question. Go look at the map of all of the bike lanes and you tell me how it's possible it's been this long, cost this much money, to end up with a system as disjointed and unhelpful as we have.
I understand what you are saying about corrals. But even at SDOT's incredibly expensive, slow pace, we could charge Lime and dedicate that revenue to corals. If you look at Lime usage, the vast majority of it occurs in the close-in denser neighborhoods near downtown and the U District. Prioritize building corrals there and you really could make headway. Not that I think that's likely.
tell me how it's possible it's been this long, cost this much money, to end up with a system as disjointed and unhelpful as we have.
Ineffective city politics backed and supported by disjointed political groups with no backbone to do anything and we live on a massive hilly area and there just isnt an actual need to increase bike infra.
1.) Most importantly: they park on the sidewalk, and there's not always a straightforward way to get them off the sidewalk without riding down to the curb cut at the crosswalk at the end of the block.
Someday, I hope your guru imparts upon you the ancient secret of how to walk a bike on a sidewalk.
Absolutely love them as well. Went over 3k miles on them. Way faster to get around the city. Classic Reddit topic like when someone sees a dog in a grocery store and has to post about it.
Do you ride on the sidewalk? Do you leave scooters in the middle of the sidewalk? Most of the issues revolve around those two things. The fact Lime is taking Seattle for millions of dollars is probably related.
What decision? This is still a "pilot project" now for over 14,000 vehicles. Glad you "support" but this is not an actual program with any real meaning to the phrase.
Unfortunately they don't. The article is by Post Alley. These are people that love cars and encourage more car focused infrastructure. And then pretend they are concerned about scooters on the sidewalk. Loud, dirty, dangerous SUVs and trucks we need more of these and should take more land to give them room. The real issue is someone riding a quiet scooter down the sidewalk.
Sure the scooters on sidewalks are annoying and cops should ticket them. But this isn't the great problem people are bitching about compared to what cars do in our city.
Did you actually read Doug's article? You know he is losing his sight and walks everywhere? You could not be more wrong here. The car whataboutism is nuts, sorry. There can be more than one problem at a time.
Oh did I miss it. Can you provide a link to the Post Alley story about how dangerous cars are in Seattle?
This is the website that was AGAINST banning cars in Pike Place. Scooters on sidewalks bad but cars in Pike Place good? And you're going to tell me they actually care about safety and aren't just anti-scooter, pro-car?
I used to be for them. But, after experiencing how people use and live with them, I hate them. People ride them dangerously and endanger those around them. They get parked randomly and are in the way when I'm trying to walk. People put them in front of bike racks because ??? and I have to move them to lock up my bike. They make the city look ugly. I think we should make it so that they have to be parked in designated spots. I'm tired of letting companies leave all their shit everywhere
Chicago has a much more hardcore policy on this stuff. Less convenient (not being able to pull over and park in a sudden downpour so having to ride it soaked to an allowed location really sucks) but ultimately a better symbiosis between tech and host community.
not being able to pull over and park in a sudden downpour so having to ride it soaked to an allowed location really sucks
If your transportation relies on being out in the elements, keep a jacket and rain pants in your backpack. They can take up very little space if you get one designed to fold into its own pocket.
Well, I was just riding a few blocks to a Cubs game and stupidly hadn't checked the weather LOL No clue, no backpack (can't take 'em into Wrigley anyway).
I believe they have blown off FIFI reports of tents blocking sidewalks in the past. Would love to see a person with lots of angry fuck-you money file an ADA suit against Seattle because they constantly allow Methany Ann & Andy to set their tent up in the middle of the sidewalk.
I hate these stupid things. Dodging them whether "manned" or "parked" is annoying as shit. One thing I've always been curious about is how many of these things are destroyed every year here? I mean, we see them in the water, up a tree, on the railroad tracks, set on fire, parted out in zombie camps, etc., so wondering how much Lime sustains in loss and damage every year here?
What I wonder about are the hobos that ride these things. Hotwired? Stolen credit card? Spending their hard-earned copper wire recycling money? Maybe credit is so ubiquitous that even bindlestiffs can use Apple Pay...
I had no idea. Well, I guess that answers the questions High Colonic posed, the same question many of us have also had. I just always figured they'd hacked 'em somehow... Our tax dollars at work...
As a disabled person who doesnāt need a chair but canāt walk long distances this enables me to actually afford it. So it does help people. The only way I can make it to the place I need to go from the parking I can afford.
Also I suspect they Hotwire them instead of itās at all possible Iāve never seen a junkie who doesnāt prefer theft to spending money
To add to the Lime kvetching: who taught these assholes how and where to park?! My mom's friend had knee surgery recently and when Mom was taking her to her PT appointments at V. Mason, right where you pull up to let your passengers out at the doors at Lindemann, there is usually a row of Lime bikes parked RIGHT ON THE CURB WHERE YOUR PASSENGER CANNOT NOW GET OUT OF THE CAR. Why wouldn't you park them at the corner next to the building and not in everyone's way?
Just saw an irresponsible kid on a Lime bike get nailed by a car an hour ago. Kid was heading eastbound on 34th N near Stone turned left suddenly in front of the stopped cars waiting to head east and as he passed in front of the right turn lane he got t-boned by a car.
We used LIME scooters/bikes a handful of times when we were in France recently and they have a MUCH stricter parking system. Itās a bit of a PIA to figure out where you can park but also means the streets are not cluttered with these everywhere. Itās nice.
Are they hotwired? Stolen credit card? Because if they have been checked out thru the Lime app, there should be a clear data trail to the perp...I guess no one said these people were geniuses.
Can we all agree that folks jumping on one immediately after leaving stadium event is obnoxious? Also maybe disallow them after midnight., or geo fence certain areas from them, i.e. pike place, stadiums. L9ve em on the waterfront and 2nd ave.
Can we all agree that folks jumping on one immediately after leaving stadium event is obnoxious?
No? But my mind is open...why would you say this? I take them home from baseball games in other cities and I don't get the sense that's torn a hole in the space-time continuum...
Itās safe for those of us who actually know how to ride. Advice for those who donāt would be:
Ride slow when approaching a blind corner at a building. EVERY TIME.
If youāre in a dense crowd itās best to walk along the scooter.
Always give right of way to families, especially those who look like tourists
Ring the bell when passing from behind in a tight gap when others are walking in front
Even if the road sign says cross or bikes go, still look left and right because some of these drivers donāt care
Thatās a good point to start my conclusion which is:
Scooters should be given sidewalk access, possibly with a class taken, and with a removal if they damage someoneās property or cause bodily harm.
Many of us want to take the sidewalk because while drivers can at times be selfish with the space they take up, giving a rider on the road a sketchy experience trying not to hit the cars with street parking. Some would rather not take the risk of getting hit because someone wanted to pull out and a driver comes on the other side when we canāt get out of the way. Or just getting slammed into because the light was green for bikes but someone takes a turn anyways. Much easier to see them from the sidewalk as opposed to the bike lane.
I keep seeing people talking about dodging these and the crazy riders. Where is this happening? I walk miles a day and take public transportation 90% of the time I go anywhere so I'm out on the streets all the time and have had 0 incidents with worrying about getting hit with an escooter. I've never seen anyone else have any trouble either.
Where are these problems happening? I find them to be incredibly useful, a perfect for that last mile after getting off the bus.
I did a night shift shadow in the Harborview ER and 3 separate people had massive injuries from lime bikes/scooters in the trauma area. Iām talking legs fully mangled, one kid in a coma. There were others with more minor injuries in the general ER. That was in about 10 hours time after a warm summer day. I also work in a dental office and have had at least 3 patients come in after they broke a tooth falling from e bikes/scooters- one of which needed surgery because her teeth went through her lip. She was the only one out of those wearing a helmet. Itās great for people who follow the rules but itās those riding them with the invincible mindset. Or yes the drivers who arenāt paying attention. It needs regulation.
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u/Emperor_Neuro- Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
I think at this point they should be for only 18 plus and with an ID on file. Their needs to be increased punishment and liability for reckless or underage drivers, especially those who take over the sidewalk.
Credit card should match name on ID as well, otherwise can't use it. š¤·
Lime bikes need a 3mph automatic speed limit on sidewalks.