Scooter share company implements new rule amid crackdown

On Thursday, Bird spokesman Kenneth Baer said in an email that on Tuesday Bird began a pilot program requiring San Francisco riders to take a photo of their scooters at the end of their rides to ensure that it's been parked in an area that's not blocking pedestrians' paths.

"This will help Bird take action to ensure frequent violators of Bird's parking rules are suspended or deactivated," Baer said.

Since last week, DPW crews have been out responding to complaints from residents regarding scooters blocking sidewalks.

In addition to DPW, other city departments have attempted to crackdown on the scooter share companies, Bird, LimeBike and Spin, which all launched pilot programs in the city in March. The scooters, which are equipped with GPS devices that allow users to locate them via a mobile app, are often seen left unattended on sidewalks or being ridden by users on sidewalks.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to require the scooter share programs to seek permits for their vehicles. According to the ordinance, sponsored by Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Jane Kim, unpermitted scooters would be subject to confiscation by DPW.

On Monday, City Attorney Dennis Herrera sent cease and desist letters to the three scooter share companies. While noting that LimeBike, Spin and Bird had disregarded previous warnings, the letter argued that the powered vehicles are "creating a public nuisance on the city's streets and sidewalks and endangering public health and safety."

The letters demanded that the companies all take immediate action to ensure that their riders don't ride on sidewalks, have drivers licenses, wear helmets and don't park the scooters in ways that create safety hazards or block sidewalks, curb ramps, access ramps and bus stops.

"We are taking the City Attorney's concerns and recommendations for improving Bird in San Francisco very seriously. We are confident that by continuing to work with the city, we can build a framework that can make San Francisco a leader in bringing new mobility options that curb traffic and greenhouse gas emissions," Baer said.

"Some Birds were impounded, and we look forward to engaging with city officials in a fair process to review the reasons for confiscating. Bird respects the DPW's role in enforcing all parking rules ... We will continue to build upon Bird's user education efforts so that our growing user base becomes accustomed to considering their fellow San Franciscans and park safely out of the right of way." Baer said.

This morning, Herrera stressed on Twitter that his office is not interested in banning scooters, but in ensuring that they're used in a safe way.

"San Francisco is not interested in banning an emerging industry. But companies have a responsibility to ensure that their products are used lawfully and do not create a public nuisance. It is about striking the right balance with safety," Herrera said.

LimeBike spokesman Joe Arellano said in an email Thursday that in order to promote safety the company would begin handing out helmets to their users starting Sunday.

Spin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.