By Charles Pekow — Like any innovation, city-sponsored micromobility programs raise their own set of legal questions regarding safety, equity, regulation, and other concerns. The Transit Cooperative Research Program has issued a new legal guide for transit agencies to consider when coordinating with bike, scooter, and other mobility-sharing programs in this young and growing field, where regulations are still evolving. Some key points include:
- Federal definitions are still developing regarding what constitutes an electric bike, scooter, and similar vehicles. Various federal agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, set standards. However, micromobility standards are generally established at the state and local levels, with most right-of-way decisions left to local jurisdictions. This also applies to the licensing of shared systems and regulations on where to park.
- Cities benefit from obtaining information from private operators about micromobility usage when planning. However, this must be balanced with privacy concerns.
- Typically, sharing systems do not provide helmets. However, injury rates are higher among users who do not wear helmets, even in shared rides. Therefore, helmet requirements need further discussion.
- Batteries, particularly lithium-ion ones, can cause fires or explosions. Localities may consider setting safety standards, as New York City has done.
- While batteries do not produce emissions and are considered environmentally friendly, they eventually become hazardous waste. Transit agencies should address the disposal of end-of-life batteries in their contracts.
Find the guide at https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/27870/chapter/1.
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