A Mount Maunganui resident is growing frustrated with 'abandoned” e-scooters being left on the roads and footpaths.
Lee, who does not want her surname to be published, is a 71 year old retiree who says she comes across 'many scooters” which are being left in positions which may harm people.
'If someone is in a mobility cart and driving on a path, they'd be stuffed if they came across the scooters piled up,” says Lee.
'I see them being left on roads too. Between cyclists, speed bumps and pedestrians, drivers already have enough to look out for. The roads are also pretty busy and narrow. Drivers don't need scooters to look out for as well.”
Lee says she has concerns for people riding the scooters on roads too, where she has seen them 'weaving in and out of traffic” a number of times.
'I just think it is not fair or reasonable for people to just dump the scooters in random locations, especially when it has the capacity to impact others. I've seen them abandoned on roads, footpaths, lawns, literally everywhere.
'I see lots of kids going very fast on them too, including on the wrong side of the road. It's really a miracle nothing bad has happened so far.
"Cyclists and motorcyclists have to wear a helmet and abide by safety rules, why are these scooters not held to the same standard?" asks Lee.
Tauranga City Council cycle plan implementation programme manager Andy Vuong says council is aware of a 'small number” of reports of scooters parked inappropriately on footpaths in Mount Maunganui and across the city.
'As part of the current trial, we have had discussions with Lime to gain insights on their experience in other cities to identify actions to help reduce the frequency of this occurring. These include targeted communications to users via emails and app notifications to help reinforce safe riding and parking behavior,” says Andy.
'If residents do come across a scooter blocking a footpath, we suggest they contact Lime's customer support who are responsible for correcting this matter. The community can also provide feedback anytime to Tauranga City Council via our contact centre on 07 577 7000 and info@tauranga.govt.nz, or via council's social media channels.”
9 comments
they are a pain
Posted on 21-02-2023 12:15 | By MoR
I complained about these scooters last year and got bagged for it, I complained to the Council and they said its not their problem. I almost fell to the ground when I tripped over one on the footpath, I see them everywhere just dumped on the roads, footpaths around this area all the time. They need banning
Lime Green Litter
Posted on 21-02-2023 13:20 | By Robin Feron
Very simple solution, have designated parking areas for scooters where they must be left or the user keeps being charged as is the case overseas, very easy for lime to implement at no cost to council/rate payers. You only need to go for a walk around Mount area to see it’s a major problem, another cop out by Council.
TCC Inconsistencies.
Posted on 21-02-2023 14:35 | By survr
Lime scooters are a business. Right!. A drainage contractor is a business. Right. However the 2 businesses have 2 different set of rules in relation to working/effects on road berms and TCC requirements for health and safety. Explanation. Lime scooters can be left anywhere (and they are) on Council's roads without any health and safety requirements eg. Cones, traffic management plans etc. A contractor however working on a grass berm (even for 3 hours) close to a property boundary away from a footpath has to provided TCC with a traffic management plan (with a fee) for every job, such includes fencing and or cones, signage (including warning, speed reductions, detours etc). Something doesn't add up to TCC consistency especially when these scooters are often left straddling a footpath and left accordingly at night. PS TCC approves Lime contracts so are responsible for the "mess".
Tauranga City Council…
Posted on 21-02-2023 15:07 | By Bob Landy
…don’t care and will take no responsibility. They stopped replying to myself when I asked how much the council was receiving from Lime.
NO Mr Andy Vuong no!!!!
Posted on 21-02-2023 16:00 | By Bruja
It is COUNCIL who have 'permitted' this. YOU deal with the problem YOU have created! This is simply a money-making exercise on the part of Lime scooters. Get rid of the 'trash'.
Experience has shown...
Posted on 21-02-2023 16:38 | By morepork
...that these scooters have not really improved our lives at all. There WOULD be a benefit, if people used them properly and they were not just left laying around. If that problem can be solved, then, OK, otherwise, I agree they should be banned.
Lime thickshake
Posted on 21-02-2023 20:45 | By ModeShift
Inconsiderate Lime scooter parking and everyone getting worked up into a lather. Two ton metal boxes taking every available space, spewing noise and pollution - no worries!! Micro mobility is part of the future of transport - get used to it.
Ban everything!
Posted on 22-02-2023 11:42 | By BryanBOP
Tauranga residents love to complain about everything and want everything banned. No wonder this place is becoming so boring with nothing to do for young people. The whole place is becoming a giant retirement village. Even bars have to close early now because residents complain. Tauranga must be trying to complete with Palmerston North as New Zealands most boring city.
Well Bryan......
Posted on 22-02-2023 12:21 | By Bruja
If the Lime scooter users weren't so boringly ignorant, entitled and lazy there might not be such a problem. I guess you'll be leaving asap eh. Awesome,bye. :)
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