LAWTON – A contract authorizing a 12-month pilot program for a stand-up electric scooter program was approved by the City Council in a split vote.
Bird Rides Inc. of Santa Monica, California, contacted City Hall approximately a year ago “to ask if we would be interested in them coming to operate in Lawton,” Community Services Director Charlotte Brown related.
“Someone will buy the scooters from Bird … deliver them to where they need to go and charge them,” Brown said. The City of Lawton will receive 10¢ per ride.
“Not only will drivers have to watch for other cars, they’ll have to watch for scooters, too,” Councilwoman Linda Chapman said. “And who will be in charge of where they’re left?”
“We fought hard to get sidewalks in Lawton,” Councilman Randy Warren said. In Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district, “People in wheelchairs can’t travel on the sidewalks because scooters are laying in the way.”
Despite the objections, the council endorsed the proposal on a 6-2 vote.