Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Electric Scooters Coming to Annapolis
Yes, you read that correctly. In a historic, small town that’s easily walkable from site to site to shopping and dining, electric scooters will soon be on the streets and sidewalks. As a component of the City’s alternative transportation and mobility plan while Hillman Garage—and eventually City Dock—undergoes redevelopment, the scooters will be demoed this week by the Mayor, with plans to integrate a fleet of scooters soon. In major metropolises throughout the world, the e-scooters are hailed by some and loathed by others. They’re a clean and fun mode of transportation when used responsibly. They’re a dangerous annoyance when not, interfering with pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Annapolis isn’t exactly known for smooth, paved sidewalks—nor are they wide. So, the situation does beg the question of whether e-scooters are a good fit for this small town?
What do you think about electric scooters in Annapolis? Too big an idea for this small town? Or worth trying?
Here’s what you said:
Not worth it. Litter sidewalks, are pricey to rent, and don't sync well with traffic
Seth Langianese, College Park
The scooters are a terrible idea. This is too small of a city to allow the scooters, and it will only cause accidents. There is not enough room on Main Street for scooters, pedestrians, and cars. I've been to bigger cities with the scooters, and they are an eye sore - everyone just leaves them all over the cities. In one city, we heard from a resident whose wife was a nurse in the ER, he said that his wife sees so many people come into the ER with injuries from the scooters. Honestly, the bikes didn't work - why does anyone think the scooters will? Everything is walkable here that is the beauty of Annapolis and Eastport. Why ruin it?
Megan Houst, Annapolis
NOOOOO! What an amazingly awful idea...
Michael Norris, Annapolis
To rent these out to novices' downtown is inviting big problems.
This is a bad idea
Carl Lazar, Arnold
Two things, will ruin the charm of the beautiful city, sidewalks are for walking. Take a look at DC they are laying all over the place!
Cheryl Lagana, Davidsonville
Absolutely NOT! Sidewalks are blocked with tables and chairs. Hasn't the City learned anything from other cities that had these? They are just about the dumbest thing next to the failed bike lane project.
Joe Peterson, Annapolis
I don't think scooter are a good idea because during the summer months especially the sidewalks and streets are very crowded. I don't see the scooters easing this congestion but only making it more congested.
Linda Serpico, Annapolis
Believe it is a dangerous solution - posing life threatening injury to pedestrians on already narrow and crowded sidewalks in Annapolis. Who is responsible for this brilliantly dangerous idea? Run small shuttle buses from various school parking lots to and from downtown. And please don't charge folks for the visitor parking. The Hillman Garage rebuild will be terrible inconvenience that can't be avoided and implementing scooters is not only a bigger inconvenience to pedestrians but is also ridiculously dangerous.
Angela Hogan, Annapolis
Annapolis is not suitable for scooters of any kind.
Kenneth Swiecicki, Annapolis
I have extensive experience with electric scooters in many cities around the world. In general, i love them! However, I think they are more appropriate for larger cities. The disadvantages of them (blocking sidewalks, interfering with pedestrians, etc) outweigh the advantages in a small town like Annapolis, IMHO. Of course i am thinking primarily of the historic district (where I live), whereas they may be of benefit outside the core downtown area.
David Finkelstein, Rockville
Yes, I think scooters would be good. Have them in DC, where I work, would be good to have them here.
Steve Kubisen, Annapolis
Great idea to try electric scooters in Annapolis.
Karen Johnson, Annapolis
E-scooters are ok when used carefully on appropriate streets and paths. Experience in DC has seen them scattered around sidewalks and intersections small children and teens riding double and lots of dangerous conflicts with cars and pedestrians Not a good idea for historic Annapolis.
Warren Brown, Annapolis
My kid goes to school in Richmond and these things are a menace and are left all over the place. Our streets and sidewalks are too narrow and uneven for this. It's going to be a mess and people will get hurt.
Laura Gayvert, Crofton
Love e-scooters but only where there is proper infrastructure (streets with bike/scooter lanes) and no-go on the sidewalks. I work in the downtown DC business district and many scooter riders venture onto the much wider and smoother sidewalks of DC and it is still very dangerous - the scooters create a very difficult and dangerous convergence of pedestrians and motorized transport - a very bad combination.
Robert Wiggans, Arnold
Yes!! Finally, The city is bringing up the idea of East scooters. Unfortunately, because of the uneven nature of the sidewalks and congestion, they should not be allowed from City Dock up Main St to Church Circle or any of the other DTA side streets. Scooters should be allowed on West Street up to Church Circle. Other streets that can support e scooters are Rowe Blvd, king George up to College Ave. Scooters should not be allowed from Church Circle down to Main Street or any of the other downtown Annapolis streets.
Jensin Sommer, Annapolis
I think we should definitely give them a try. They are clean, inexpensive transportation. Lay down some rules regarding safety and courtesy and make sure people know it's on them to act responsibly or lose the opportunity.
Martha Van Woerkom, Annapolis
These scooters are a nuisance in every city that has them. They are not only a huge eyesore and take up valuable space. They are also incredibly dangerous to the riders, pedestrians, and motor vehicle drivers.
Melody Wagenfer, Queenstown
These are a bad idea for the old historical sections of Annapolis. The cobble stones, narrow walkways, crowded streets and alleys, make them more hazardous than helpful. Aesthetically having discarded scooters everywhere would detract from the overall look and appeal of downtown Annapolis. Alternative parking with shuttle service would be a better solution.
Catherine Budd, Odenton
Bad Idea! If the are operated like Baltimore where to can pick up and drop off any where, many unused scooters lying on sidewalks everywhere.
Kenneth Van Hooijdonk, Crownsville
Not in favor of any more electric scooters!There is already tragedy waiting to happen. Scooter riders are already racing these devices around our streets, disobeying all traffic laws; riding on the wrong side, cutting corners in front of oncoming cars, speeding (for road conditions and congestion. At night with no lights. And the police are no where to be found. Sounds like a "fun" and magic solution....but very STUPID. Tragedy on the way!
David Price, Annapolis
In theory, scooters seem like a great idea to get around town. Until you consider the condition of Annapolis' streets, brick surfaces, narrow sidewalks, cracked sidewalks, age of downtown residents who will actually use them, etc. There is little being done to fix the infrastructure downtown to prepare for scooters or walkers. I can't get a City person out to fix the flooding where the sidewalk meets my driveway...or a street cleaner. Go to a larger city like Nashville and see how scooters are simply abandoned anywhere and everywhere and litter the streets. They're an eyesore and a tripping hazard. This seems to be a band-aid on a not well thought out plan.
Felicia Barlow Clar, Annapolis
Bad idea!!! 👎 Streets are to narrow and brick sidewalks are not designed for the e-scooters! I'd seen them laying around DC and in pedestrians way when trying to walk around town. Drivers are not experienced to drive them either. Lots of accidents too!Just not a good fit for our historic town of Annapolis 😔
Sylvia A Wicklein, Annapolis
As a new resident of the area, I noticed that Annapolis downtown is busy with narrow streets for the flow of traffic. My personal opinions (Pros) are scooters downtown will provided easy access in and around the shops, restaurants, tourist attractions and boating areas. Scooters are eco-friendly, easy to park, reduce noise and low maintenance.
However, my professional opinions (cons) are concerns about the impact on the local government's capital budget, capital improvement, infrastructure and equipment plans.
Patricia Wyatt, Annapolis
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