Assessing the Potential of a New Transportation Technology.
E-scooters emerged in 2017 as a new shared mobility service in the United States. Less than a year after their debut, e-scooters were operating in 65 U.S. cities. They did not arrive without disruption; companies Bird and Lime began operations in 43 markets without government permits or consent. Several cities responded with cease and desist orders, fines, or both. Portland chose a different, proactive path, creating the E-Scooter Pilot Program.
With the pilot, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) focused on giving Portlanders access to this new transportation option while also ensuring that e-scooters would support Portland’s fundamental policy values. Designed to assess whether – and how – e-scooters could help meet Portland’s transportation needs, the pilot featured a permitting framework that aligned e-scooter company business practices with four critical City of Portland objectives: 1. Reduce traffic congestion by shifting trips away from private motor vehicle use 2. Prevent fatalities and serious injuries on Portland streets 3. Expand access to opportunities for underserved Portlanders 4. Reduce air pollution, including climate pollution.
Author: Portland Bureau of Transportation
