The City of Atlanta has halted all issuances of additional permits for shareable dockless mobility devices following the news of a man who was struck and killed by a city bus last week.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed an executive order Thursday morning barring the release of new permits for dockless scooters, bikes and more, according to a news release.
The order will not affect companies with existing permits, but the Mayor plans to submit legislation at the next Atlanta City Council meeting on Aug. 5 "to address the long-term impacts these devices levy against the City’s infrastructure and public safety and the compounded strain placed on the City’s public safety officials and first responders."
As of today, the Department of City Planning will refuse to accept for review or consideration any application requesting a shareable dockless mobility device permit. The order will remain in effect through Aug. 5., "at which time it is anticipated that the Council will introduce an ordinance repealing the authorization of the Commissioner of the Department of City Planning or his designee(s) to accept shareable dockless mobility device permit applications and to issue shareable dockless mobility device permits."
In addition to the executive order, Mayor Bottoms released this statement:
“Across the nation, municipalities are dealing with the sudden and unforeseen impact these devices have had on our communities. While some municipalities have banned the devices altogether, the City of Atlanta acted in good faith to work with the private sector to explore innovative solutions to ease existing commuting strains. However, as Atlanta has seen two scooter related deaths, this complex issue requires a more thorough and robust dialogue."
The news comes just a week after a man died while riding a dockless scooter. William Alexander, a 37-year-old father of two, was riding from an Atlanta United game when he was struck by a CobbLinc bus and killed.
Protesters of recent scooter, pedestrian and bike deaths in Atlanta organized a human chain yesterday along W. Peachtree St., near the scene where Williams died. The attendees linked arms to serve as a protective chain for bicyclists, pedestrians and e-scooter riders.
According to Curbed Atlanta, the event was a memorial for Williams and a call to bring attention to other recent deaths among cyclists, pedestrians and e-scooter riders.
On Monday, a man was also hit in a car collision while riding an e-scooter near Lenox Square Mall on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. According to Atlanta police, the crash happened at about 10 p.m.
Police said the e-scooter rider was at fault and was issued a citation for riding on the sidewalk. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital to be treated for leg pain.
