VIRGINIA BEACH — Following the recent City Council decision to ban motorized scooters in much of the Oceanfront and on roadways with speed limits greater than 25 mph, city staff and the e-scooter companies operating here are making changes to support the new ordinance.
The following actions are being taken to uphold the new regulations, according to city officials:
- Police officers are implementing an “educate and enforce” campaign to make riders aware of the change.
- Signs indicating the e-scooter restrictions are being produced for install.
- BIRD and Lime, the e-scooter companies operating in the city, are dialing back their presence at the Oceanfront to relocate 500-1,000 scooters in the resort area, update geofencing to create new virtual boundaries and update company apps to provide riders with new instructions
The e-scooter companies hope to wrap up their changes no later than 5 p.m. Friday (Aug. 23)
The restricted Oceanfront area for e-scooter use is east of Arctic Avenue to the Atlantic Ocean, from Rudee Loop to 42nd Street. However, riders are still permitted on roadways outside of the boundaries that have speed limits of 25 mph or less, officials said.
“Maintaining the health and well-being of citizens and visitors in the resort area and throughout the City are top priorities of the Virginia Beach City Council,” Vice Mayor Jim Wood said. “It is not our desire to stall innovation, but to move forward in a safe and responsible manner.”
City staff is in the process of facilitating community input and developing franchise license request for proposals to create a balance of regulations that create a safer environment overall. Any new requirements associated with franchise licenses of motorized scooters would be in place by Dec. 31.
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