Electric scooters, those dockless little devices suddenly in motion everywhere on the streets and sidewalks of downtown San Antonio, are not the problem.
That statement might come as a surprise to annoyed drivers navigating San Antonio’s crowded downtown streets, or pedestrians on sidewalks brushed back by a near-miss encounter with a thoughtless, speeding scooter rider.
Yet refocusing on the real problem is important as City officials prepare to host a public hearing on scooter regulation this Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. in City Council chambers. City Council is scheduled to vote on an ordinance regulating scooter use on Oct. 4. (Take the City survey on scooter use in English or Spanish.)
There are, of course, plenty of drivers and pedestrians more than a little irritated by the overnight proliferation of hundreds of scooters piloted by people of all ages and skill levels, zipping on and off urban core streets and sidewalks, some without the slightest thought given to the safety of others or themselves. A scooter user suffered a fatal crash in Dallas last week, and one wonders when it will happen here.
It’s a bit crazy out there, so public ire is understandable, yet misdirected.
The micro-mobility revolution, now in its third wave in U.S. cities (bike share followed by ride share followed by scooter share), is disrupting downtown traffic patterns in every major U.S. city where the scooter fleets have found a home, but disruption itself isn’t the problem. Disruption, actually, is a good thing. It signals the arrival of a new technology, a new service, a new solution, that often lays bare previously ignored issues that are the real problem.
This scooter-driven disruption is every bit as real as Uber and Lyft were a few years ago. Scooters offer a low-cost, easy-to-access alternative to get from Point A to Point B without getting in a car and burning carbon, hailing Uber or Lyft, or even breaking a sweat. Demand spikes on weekends when downtown San Antonio resembles an overturned beehive with hundreds of Bird, Lime, and now, Blue Duck scooters in constant motion, visible on every block, often moving faster than congested vehicle traffic.
People aren’t just opting for smart urban transit. They’re also having fun. That sense of liberation and fun is best captured in this scooter send-up video featuring comedic actor Jim Carrey riding a Bird on his way to Jimmy Kimmel Live last week.
While setting out to ride scooters several Saturdays ago, I found myself searching fruitlessly, block after block in the midday heat, finally locating an available unit on East Commerce Street. As I accessed the activation app on my smartphone, a young couple hurriedly approached and offered me $5 to forego my ride and let them have their turn.
“Just keep walking,” I said, “You’ll find one.” As fast as people dismount, it seems, someone else is waiting to take their ride.
So what is the underlying problem? Bike lanes. Or, the lack of bike lanes. San Antonio is in the eighth or ninth year of the Decade of Downtown, depending on how you count it, but the City’s commitment to adding a meaningful network of bike lanes to the urban landscape never came to fruition. Check out the People for Bikes national rankings. You have to scroll through nine screens of big city and small town names before finding San Antonio.
There are hardly any real bike lanes in downtown San Antonio, and not that many in the urban core, period. The bike lanes we have tend to be only blocks long, brief interludes to streets that, outside of downtown, belong to vehicle traffic and are characterized by narrow, poorly maintained sidewalks. Too many San Antonio drivers are unaware that state law and local ordinances require them to “share the road.” Cyclists, scooters, even pedestrians are too often regarded as an intrusion in their space. Road rage is a routine experience.
Scooter riders, in turn – few of whom wear bike helmets – instinctively know they are outmatched on many streets and tend to opt for the safety of sidewalks, some riding recklessly and endangering pedestrians. Most of the scooters do not have rear lights and drivers at dusk find themselves behind scooters they can hardly see.
City leaders and planners in San Antonio should use the advent of electric scooter use here to conduct an honest self-evaluation of its commitment to give citizens a safer streetscape. Smart leaders will devise reasonable safe measures in the short-term, but also think about the city 10, 20, 30 years from now. If the SA Tomorrow plan is ever going to be more than 900 pages sitting on a shelf, City leaders need to make tough decisions now to reshape the urban core we will live and work in decades from now.
Smart cities elsewhere are redesigning their urban cores with the focus on people rather than vehicles. Cars, trucks, and SUVs are not going to disappear, but their users will have to coexist with more mass transit and more micro-mobility options.
A not-so-smart course for San Antonio would be to ignore worsening air quality, growing traffic congestion, the alarming rate of pedestrian-vehicle accidents and fatalities, and the consequences of decades of street engineering focused solely on the flow of vehicle traffic. We now struggle with a massive sidewalk deficit, and too many streets that are unsafe for people moving around outside of cars, trucks, and SUVs.
There are some tentative first steps being taken. City officials have reacted thoughtfully to the micro-mobility revolution this time around, in contrast to the defensive regulatory posture adopted with the advent of ride-share. Some streets now feature bike lanes painted a brightly visible green, although the distances are often measured in blocks and usage remains minimal.
Councilman Roberto Treviño (D1) for several years has been an evangelist for smarter sidewalk construction and maintenance. Click here to download his staff’s “Sidewalkology” paper to get a better sense of their policy proposals. Treviño also is the force behind plans to create a new Pedestrian Mobility advocate on City staff, although the value of that position will depend on whether the person filling the job has a voice in setting policy.
Tech Bloc, which emerged as a formidable political force overnight just a few years ago, was born out of widespread frustration with the City’s initial defense of the legacy taxi industry and opposition to rideshare. We’ve asked its CEO David Heard to weigh in with a commentary in advance of the Oct. 4 vote setting forth its recommendations.
Advocates for smart mobility policies should take the City survey and show up at City Council chambers for the Sept. 12 hearing. Sensible regulations will provide short-term relief to some of the scooter chaos now loose on downtown streets. It will take a much more serious commitment to solve the real underlying problems. So far, San Antonio has not seen leaders willing to give the streets, or at least some of the street, back to the people.
I was recently in the Incarnate Word University area, and a scooter rider ran a red light. He just barely made it without being hit. The next time, he might not be so lucky.
If we are all going to share the roads and sidewalks then we should ALL follow traffic rules.
I’m surprised by how often scooter riders are breaking the rules, but you have to admit that the majority of drivers break the rules on a daily basis. Speed limits don’t matter, stop signs are skirted, red lights are run, lane changes aren’t signaled. You may be the perfect driver (although I doubt it) but almost every other driver out there breaks multiple rules every time they get behind the wheel.
Bullsh** Will! Who made you the expert on drivers and traffic? Your statement is wildly unsubstantiated and not even relevant to the scooter problem. Your argument is called a “red herring”…
Will is absolutely right and there’s no “red herring” about it. The outrage over scooters is absolutely meaningless until we are willing to admit the many ways we’ve given reckless driving a free pass in San Antonio. We don’t follow speed limits, we rarely use turn signals, most only come to a rolling stop at stop signs, and few ever stop before turning right at a red light. Plus, how often are cars parked over the lines or with front or rear ends blocking pedestrian pathways and sidewalks? How often do we see cars illegally parked in handicapped spaces without a plate or placard? How often are vehicle crashes reported as though the whole incident were a mystery, devoid of human involvement?
The “real problem,” as Bob already stated, is we’ve built a system catered to the least efficient, most costly mode of transportation possible. It’s time to make it right.
Oh yes, someone who goes by “Deep Insider” calling bs… I was really just echoing what Eddie said originally. We should ALL follow traffic laws. As far as unsubstantiated, here’s the results of a quick google search. The study says 2/3rds of drivers admit to regularly breaking the speed limit on roads. Try traveling on any area highway when the weather isn’t miserable like it is today and you can see thousands of locals doing the same.
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/no-respect-for-speed-limits/
Bravo! I no longer ride bikes in the city, having been run off the road too many times by cars, trucks, and even a school bus (!). I obeyed all traffic rules, but nothing helped. The city needs to cut its greenhouse gas and ozone emissions. Scooters, combined with better parking on the edge of the downtown core, are a good way to do it. But we need to multiply those green lanes!
My husband and I were in Portland a few years ago and fell in love with the ability to safely ride bicycles all over downtown on their green lanes. I hope our city council will consider looking at that beautiful city for ideas to make our urban core truly “bicycle/scooter friendly “.
Couldn’t agree more Bob! Great article.
There are several points that aren’t addressed. Flow of traffic is not efficient because of narrow roads and of city’s failure to properly repair roads. Where are all the road races going to? While we can tax the scooter companies to help pay for those special bike lanes, when are the bicycle riders going to put forth their fair share?
Do you even know how roads are funded? I’ll give you a hint. It’s not the gas tax. Highways are somewhat funded by that, but regular old roads are funded by city funds which are primarily property and sales taxes. Try again.
I ride a bike for general transportation and for health. I also own and pay taxes on three cars. To say I am not paying my fair share is short sighted. All of the people I ride bikes with also own cars and pay their share of gas taxes and registration fees. As downtown becomes more and more congested the logical step is to expand on alternative modes of transportation. Bike lanes is a start.
Bike riders are already paying their “fair share” through regular taxes. It is the city that is choosing to allocate that money elsewhere that is the issue.
I must respectfully disagree. People are the primary problem; lack of bike lanes is a secondary problem. Many scooter riders quite frankly lack any vestige of street smarts nor situational awareness due in large part to lack of experience. Many of them aren’t even sufficiently aware to look over their shoulders to see what’s coming. As an avid motorcyclist, I look in horror at the obliviousness of riders like these. Yes, we can (and should) develop more infrastructure to support disruptive concepts like this, but there is no quick fix for the human equation. Motorcyclists have to take a 2-day safety course before getting their license; however, I don’t see that happening for scooter users…
I fixed it for you:
Many DRIVERS quite frankly lack any vestige of street smarts nor situational awareness due in large part to lack of ATTENTION. Many of them aren’t even sufficiently aware to look over their shoulders to see what’s coming. As an avid motorcyclist, I look in horror at the obliviousness of DRIVERS like these. Yes, we can (and should) develop more infrastructure to support disruptive concepts like this, but there is no quick fix for the human equation.
Kens5 interviewed me about this during the community input at the library and I made the same statement about lack of bike lanes. I was overjoyed that they shared that during their segment. The RR is spot on about the real culprit. In 10 yrs time cars will no longer be used in urban core centers to move around. The scooters are just the first wave. More will continue as utilty built transportation turns all electric. Maybe we will build a tandem scooter or seats for e-vespa sharing or even a mini 5 seater that drives itself with AI. What is clear to me is that the downtown auto is losing value daily. I am hopeful San Antonio will figure it out.
The scooters are blocking the sidewalks and crosswalks for the disabled community.
Oh, boy. This comment got me started. How about drivers/operators of large trucks who are perfectly well able and capable of walking, parking in “Van Only” designated spaces? GET OUT AND WALK, YOU OLD FART!
There are many places where disabled parking is an issue. But we live in a city were retired military are “entitled” to their disabled parking permits and just “have” to have that space up near the H-E-B entrance. What about a former high school student who is physically disabled trying to go to the store and must rely on a mobility van? My own wife, who is going through dialysis and is not able to walk and has to use the same? Nope…can’t use that space because some person had to park their big honking F-350 there because they have a “condition” that requires them to not walk as far. How about showing some compassion for those who CANNOT walk?
Yes, mobility and access for disabled persons is a big issue here in San Antonio…one that many residents don’t seem to care about.
I agree that scooters blocking sidewalks is a problem… and one that should be solved through sensible regulation and fines if not followed. But I frankly see more cars blocking sidewalks than scooters all over town. Not to mention sidewalks that aren’t repaired and telephone poles put in the middle of sidewalks. We should expect an all around better experience for people using sidewalks and not pretend scooters are the only ones to blame.
Great commentary, very well put.
Since the days of B&J Bicycles and the Wheelmen in the 80s, cyclists have been begging and pleading for bicycle infrastructure. Those efforts have mostly been rewarded with a fragmented and small network of bike lanes. Look how long that’s taken.
There are enforcement and code violations related to scooters that don’t have to wait for city council. The recklessness on the sidewalks and sidewalk blocking can be addressed now. Between Segways, scooters and bicycles on sidewalks, pedestrians don’t have a chance.
Unfortunately, the PD seems to look the other way. Parking enforcement staff are a rare species now. The COSA staff that confiscates scooters shouldn’t be releasing them to the owners free of any consequence. There should be a fine.
It’s fine to advocate for more bike lanes. That will take time. The scooter free-for-all can be dealt with now. So why wait?
I support another form of transportation such as scooters. I don’t agree with the strategy that the scooter companies used here and in other cities by deploying them first and seeking forgiveness later. It’s not working everywhere.
I fixed it for you:
There are enforcement and code violations related to DRIVERS that don’t have to wait for city council. The recklessness on the STREETS and CROSSWALK blocking can be addressed now. Between CARS, TRUCKS and SUVs on CROSSWALKS, pedestrians don’t have a chance. . .
It’s fine to advocate for more bike lanes. That will take time. The CAR free-for-all can be dealt with now. So why wait?
How could this article miss the key research, recommendations and planning for pedestrian safety in San Antonio offered by our Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and predating the current e-scooter moment?
Robert, Council Members, City Manager, etc: please read and follow AAMPO’s district-by-district recommendations from early 2016 for improving San Antonio pedestrian safety and amenity.
Since early 2016, the following have been some of the immediate-term and general recommendations for improving San Antonio conditions overall (how has this Mayor and Council done in these regards?):
• Reduce posted speed limits;
• Repair existing sidewalks (including by widening substandard width sidewalks to at least a 5 foot width minimum);
• Remove unused driveways / reduce driveway conflict points;
• Install more pedestrian crossings; and
• Restrict vehicular right turn on red signals.
Alamo Area MPO Pedestrian Study principles and recommended projects should be identified and funded with each annual budget so residents can determine for themselves if their Council members are following best practices and taking pedestrian safety seriously. So far, so many missed opportunities and poorly implemented new projects since early 2016 indicate that they’re not.
http://alamoareampo.org/Studies/docs/RegionalBikePedPlanningStudy/Vol02%20City%20of%20San%20Antonio.pdf
Mark, my column focuses on underlying root problems worth identifying in the context of the current scooter regulation debate. I do not see how acknowledging the existence of the AAMPO report changes anything I wrote. I am glad it was produced, but the organization has not succeeded in affecting the necessary changes we need to see from elected officials and staff. The bike lane map the org circulates should not be taken seriously. –RR
You want to REDUCE speed limits in a city where the majority of drivers already disregard those speed limits PLUS ignore traffic control devices? Okay…well, we need a trade-off…how about ELIMINATING all of the road construction which is causing a good number of drivers to disregard traffic control measures? All of the seemingly incessant, nonstop road destruction/construction and detours, delays and whatnot caused by such only increases driver frustration, and therefore results in drivers having to speed, run stop signs/signals and take chances. If the CoSA had planned earlier for the massive growth and increase in traffic, none of this would be an issue.
Those who operate four-wheeled vehicles here in SAT far outnumber, outweigh and outsize those on two wheels, no matter if that two-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle, bicycle or scooter. Those operating a four-wheeled (and sometimes larger) vehicle have little to no patience for two-wheeled vehicles. The opposite is true. I’ve seen this personally many times. The lack of respect on the road for two-wheeled vehicles and versa vice leave me to wonder just who *does* have the ROW on many thoroughfares. The lack of respect from both sides is appalling.
On a similar note, those who drive the jacked-up four wheel drive monsters are apparently lacking in certain parts of their bodies and/or compensating.
The Rivard Report states:
“So far, San Antonio has not seen leaders willing to give the streets, or at least some of the street, back to the people.”
I commend the City of San Antonio (City) leaders for giving undesirable creek ways and flood areas back to the people. These huge areas are now desirable for walking and biking to parks and certain destinations. The City is expanding the side walks and trail entrance to access many more destinations.
As is evident to readers of energy and environmental writer Brendan Gibbons’ monthly Trailist feature, we at the Rivard Report appreciate and shine a frequent spotlight on our city’s growing hike and bike trail, but it is first and foremost recreational in nature. It is not a network for urban commuters, and it exists largely outside the urban core, where it is certainly needed since the streets are even less bike and pedestrian friendly where the city sprawls. –RR
Downtown sidewalks are already a logistics nightmare for those in wheel chairs – there are often telephone and power posts and trees right in the middle effectively narrowing the space so that a wheel chair cannot get by and the disabled person is forced to turn around and go back to the nearest exit ramp and travel on the street. The issue is made Much Worse by the scooters just lying all over the sidewalks. Is there no regulation as to where they can be parked? I live and work downtown and I see them almost always ON the sidewalk – effectively blocking it – not on the area beside the sidewalk.
Today’s Express-News has a story about Samantha Flores, a 23-yr-old cyclist critically injured last Thursday by a hit-and-run driver in the 2700 block of Nacogdoches Rd, just north of I-410. Pull up that stretch of road in Street View and you’ll see that Bob has hit the nail on the head — this street doesn’t even have decent sidewalks. Thank goodness she had a helmet on.
I hate to reinforce the point with a(nother) pedestrian mishap or tragedy, but Alamo Area MPO’s Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Study details specific recommendations to improve the safety and amenity of Nacodoches Road — focusing to the intersection with Thousand Oaks Drive but mapping other problem points south of along this road (including the 2700 block) where sensible interventions are urgently needed.
Specific recommendations that have been on the books since early 2016 for improving Nacodoches Road for pedestrians (walkers, cyclists, e-scooter riders etc.) include:
– Reduce posted speed to 30 mph;
– Install pedestrian refuge islands (6 feet), marked crosswalks (and Rapid Flash Beacon, actuated pedestrian indicators as needed) on Rio Doro, Avenida Prima and Vespero Streets and other streets perpendicular to Nacogdoches;
– South of Thousand Oaks intersection, reduce width of car lanes to 10 feet; and
– Install bu?ered bike lanes (provides bu?er to pedestrians).
Others have blasted the City’s Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) department for losing site of critical pedestrian infrastructure and safety improvement work in taking time to “shame” e-scooter sharing companies for (easily resolved) parking conflicts. From the coverage, it looks like this Council has no handle on what San Antonio’s pedestrian infrastructure needs and priorities actually are.
Again, I urge Robert, Council members, the City Managers, etc. to read and commit to following the best practice recommendations contained in the Alamo Area MPO’s early 2016 study for San Antonio. San Antonians including e-scooter riders deserve a council and local media attuned to pedestrian infrastructure, safety and amenity best practices and area-specific research and recommendations:
http://alamoareampo.org/Studies/docs/RegionalBikePedPlanningStudy/Vol02%20City%20of%20San%20Antonio.pdf