It’s a common sight in Seattle: 40-pound electric bikes and scooters tossed into bushes, blocking sidewalks and access ramps, and barreling down the sidewalk at unsuspecting pedestrians.
Lime, the micromobility private company that operates 14,000 electric bikes and scooters in the Seattle area, has long been the target of criticism from city residents. The vehicles block bike lanes, sidewalks and, in some cases, both simultaneously. Citizens with mobility issues continually complain of Lime vehicles making sidewalk curb cuts and ADA ramps unusable. Severe injuries have befallen both riders and walkers.
Pedestrians of all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities have continually raised the alarm about riders on these hefty, fast-moving vehicles disregarding sidewalk motor laws, putting walkers, pets, and strollers in danger. According to the University of Washington, 84.9 percent of these accidents take place between dusk and dawn, and alcohol use is…