Update 3:50 p.m. 7/20: Ofo company representatives confirmed the Chinese dockless bike company is leaving Atlanta, exactly one month after launching in the city. Read here for the full story.
As dockless bikes, scooters and mopeds continue to sweep the streets and sidewalks in Atlanta, leadership at city hall and surrounding municipalities are beginning to question the first/last mile solution.
The city of Atlanta is now considering new regulations following the addition of Bird scooters, Lime bikes and scooters, ofo bikes and Muving mopeds this summer. The Brookhaven City Council has also tabled requests for Lime bikes and scooters to operate within city limits since a meeting in May.
Opinions on social media regarding dockless have been mixed, but it seems opposition to dockless devices started when a picture began circulating on social media of a man riding a Bird on the Downtown Connector last week.
The Atlanta City Council held a work session regarding the dockless situation the following day, where city council members agreed regulation is in order. The council is on recess till July 27.
There have been several other reports of misuse, including riding motorized vehicles and dockless scooters on the BeltLine and in Piedmont Park.
This reporter personally has had multiple instances of trying to ride scooters in the Buckhead area that looked damaged beyond repair and were "out of service." Reports of vandalism and destruction to dockless vehicles have been reported in several cities where these companies have launched.
In bigger dockless news, Chinese dockless bike company ofo announced it is shutting down multiple U.S. and international markets to focus on profits, while Bird has announced it has lowered rates for qualified low-income riders.
But what's the general consensus from the people using these dockless vehicles? Here's a look at some posts on social media for and against the dockless trend:
— chuck yeager bombs ✈? (@_crltnpgr) July 12, 2018
ATL City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond asks Bird representative about the company’s presence in Atlanta. After approximately 70 days they have had 39,000 riders in Atlanta. 1 of Bird’s best performing cities is Atlanta. #11Alive pic.twitter.com/K0UJFNFVXv
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) July 13, 2018
At Council's work session on Bird/Lime/Muving, James Curtis, a volunteer at @ShepherdCenter who uses a wheelchair, says he was blocked by a scooter. Along with having to navigate Atlanta's poor sidewalks, it "made him feel like a second-class citizen," he told me earlier.
— Thomas Wheatley (@thomaswheatley) July 13, 2018
I just seen 2 dudes riding a bird scooter ??♂️only Atlanta
— ELCHAPO (@chapdaboy) July 17, 2018
Don’t drink & drive but do enjoy the #lime @limebike #atlanta #cnn #atlevents #scooter
A post shared by Dr. Triviño ABCVision Media (@abcvision) on Jul 12, 2018 at 10:15am PDT
I think I’ve seen more people riding Muving’s scooters since they launched in Atlanta a month ago than Ofo’s bikes, which deployed the same week.
I’ve seen like 5 people riding Muving scooters.
This does not bode well for Ofo.
— Nathaniel William Horadam (@NW_Horadam) July 17, 2018
It’s easy to get around of Atlanta...@MuvingUSA #moto #scooter #germuving?? pic.twitter.com/RxJNaArg0n
— Cris GLago (@crisglago) July 11, 2018
So VERY COOL to see @MuvingUSA launch in #Atlanta. Cheers to bringing sustainability and fun to The ATL via fleets of electric scooters. #GetMuving #GrowAtlanta #AtlantaIsNow pic.twitter.com/pkaRbyEzOH
— Cynthia Curry (@GeekThyme) June 15, 2018
