I’m no killjoy, but I’m itching to chuck my first Lime scooter into a skip.
I’ve seen a ton of them this week, often being ridden by people clearly having terrific fun. I’ve also seen some demented usage; the woman with the leg in plaster wobbling down a busy city street with her crutches tucked under her arm takes the biscuit.
However, the majority of Lime scooters I’ve encountered have been parked up, usually on footpaths but occasionally on drives, lawns and other private property. To be fair, it’s fine by me if someone wants to leave a scooter in my driveway. I’ll simply drive over it. My 4WD loves a challenge.
The reason I’m sour on Lime is that the scooters are overwhelmingly left on footpaths. Navigating past Lime’s e-litter is a nightmare for anyone who is partially sighted, anyone pushing a pram, anyone using a wheelchair.
I’m the kind of guy who moves shop signs into the gutter if they block pedestrians. It’s simply unthinking, selfish behaviour to leave a scooter in a place where it’s going to be an obstacle for other people.
Lime know it’s an issue; their website asks people not to leave them parked irresponsibly. Naturally, that advice is routinely ignored by Lime users, as is the advice to wear a helmet.
Look, I don’t think these scooters will be with us long. Like finger spinners, they’ll fast fade away. But, in the meantime, they’re a nuisance.
I wouldn’t buy shares in the company because fashion fades fast and also because the lawsuits that will inevitably follow on from injuries to pedestrians and the deaths of users in the States will probably mean no profit will ever be made from them.
If you want cheap, efficient urban transport, don’t rent a scooter, people. Buy a bike. They’re genuine fun and the exercise will do you good.
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