Electronic scooters could become a permanent part of the city ordinance this Saturday (Nov. 13) even as they head into their seasonal decline.
The approval comes after nearly two years of the program being in a pilot phase — even as scooter usage in Alexandria heads into its seasonal decline. Ridership typically falling to less than 10,000 trips city-wide between December and March. The chart also shows that scooter usage hasn’t come close to reaching its pre-pandemic highs in April and May 2019, though 2021 was still a stronger year for scooter usage than 2020 was. In spring 2020, scooter usage fell abysmally low, despite scooters being encouraged as a healthier alternative to riding the bus or carpooling.
The city also included language in the pilot program that required companies to spread their scooters out more equitably to other parts of the city outside of the tourism hotspots like Del Ray and Old Town. Despite this, actual usage still is heavily weighted in favor of the southeast corner of the city. The requirement for companies to deploy at least 30% of their fleet inside “equity zones” across the city will be carried over into the city ordinance.
The ordinance includes a variety of requirements developed over the course of the program to alleviate concerns about scooter parking on private property or blocking the public right of way.
“Permit holders shall work to ensure that Micromobility Devices are parked in a manner that does not impede pedestrian access; does not obstruct access to fire hydrants and valves, street furniture, crosswalks, driveways, or private property; does not damage landscaping, street trees or other aesthetic features; and does not interfere with traffic or bus stop operations or operation and use of Capital Bikeshare stations,” the ordinance said. Failure to adhere to these parking requirements may result in the City removing the Micromobility Device, with the Permit holder responsible for all costs associated with removal and storage of Micromobility Devices so removed, in addition to any applicable fines or fees, or other penalties as appropriate under the law.”
The full ordinance and regulatory requirements are available on the city docket (item 33).
The Permanent Dockless Mobility Program is headed to City Council review tomorrow (Tuesday) before a final vote at a public hearing this Saturday.
Recent Stories
Stunning reno w/resort like amenities on almost 1 acre w/4 car garage; 6BR-5.5BA
Two of Alexandria’s three Democrat mayoral candidates sparred onstage Tuesday night, expressing vastly different ideas on how they would manage city affairs. In the Alexandria Democratic Committee‘s debate hosted by…
If you’ve had trouble getting a spot at Thompson Italian in Old Town, you could be in luck soon. The acclaimed Italian restaurant could be getting a new third-floor expansion…
A new tour will bring locals on a tour around the ‘Lost Buildings’ around the historic Black neighborhoods of the Berg and Parker-Gray. The Berg is a neighborhood around North…
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
Potomac Harmony is Back! Following a gap year of competing, then virtual rehearsals during the pandemic, followed by the well-earned retirement of our long-term director, a year of a director search, Potomac Harmony hit the regional contest stage in Concord, North Carolina in March for the first time since 2018! It was exhilarating, reaffirming, and rewarding!
The chorus hit all of its goals, the biggest of which was to have fun and sing our best on contest stage — we did both! Because we earned a score over 400 points, our new Director, Allison Lynskey, was awarded the Novice Director award, photo above. Additionally, one of our charter members, Jackie Bottash, was nominated for and honored with the Leadership Excellence award. It was a celebratory weekend!
What’s next? So much! We now look forward to upcoming performances, growing our membership, and expanding our musical product with new arrangements and an education component each week. It’s an exciting time to be part of this ever-growing ensemble!
Alexandria NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, DPC to hold City Council…
The Alexandria Branch of the NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, and The Departmental Progressive Club to hold the City Council Candidate Forum for ALL Candidates in the City of Alexandria Virginia. The event is Free of Charge and Open to The