Electric scooters in dedicated "bike" lanes? (Atlanta: tax, live)

[jeoff]

So, I am visiting Shanghai, where there are a lot of dedicated bike lanes that are physically separated from auto traffic--but, there are really more electric scooters in the 'bike lanes' than there are bicycles. I am pretty sure that this is not allowed in Georgia (but, I could be wrong), and I have read that Toronto and other cities allow them as well. Anyway, I am told that the scooters have a top speed of maybe 20 mph, have to weigh less than 265 pounds and cost about $400 --in China the ones I see have lisense plates, while bikes do not.
Would allowing low speed electric scooters on dedicated bike lanes help justify more dedicated bike lanes? It would certainly increase the pool of potential users to those who are either unable or unwilling to pedal long distances and take some cars off the road, but it could also make biking more unnerving than it already is---but, if it resulted in more bike lanes--would that result in a net gain in safe places to ride and take more cars off the road?

[arjay57]

I have been pushing scooters for a long time but there doesn't seem to be much support for them in the ATL.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...ternative.html

[ATLTJL]

I support these.

When I did, I was asked who is so lazy they would use one over a regular bike. I was talking about electric bicycles....but electric bicycle, electric scooter, is there really much of a difference?

I'm for it.

[LTCM]

If it has petals it can ride in the bike lane. Doesn't matter if it has primary electric power.

[Atlanta Scientist]

I think we need to build up the bike lane infrastructure first.

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by Columbia Scientist

I think we need to build up the bike lane infrastructure first.

But, would this help justify more bike infrastructure earlier by increasing the number of users for the lanes? A lot of folks past the age of 40 know they will not realistically use bike lanes as part of their transportation routine, but if they could include a safe place to use electric scooters, then they really become more of a useful transportation alternative--more worthy of their tax dollars, perceived loss of car lanes, and their political support.

[cqholt]

How would you feel about them on the BeltLine or other MUP? There is a large weight difference between an E-bike and scooter.

[Gulch]

As long as they're these:



and not these:



I don't see a problem.

[cqholt]

E-bikes could be Atlanta's traffic solution?
Could electric bicycles be Atlanta's traffic solution? - CBS46 News
With more high quality bicycle facilities (stop tearing them out Dist 4 because city councilmember bowed to a local church) and more workplaces having lockers rooms.

[Tristan840]

I love the idea of E-bikes! Great to see yall posting about them as I have been searching and reading up on the different models available as a possible mode of transportation as Atlanta traffic over even the last year or so has just gotten ridiculous! I'm curious, do any of you guys take marta in the morning say from midtown to the north end like up to perimeter area and if so is the train packed with people first thing in the morning? I live walking distance to a station and have really been considering the train, however my office isn't right by a station so the e-bike option really would be awesome!