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Board committee approves scooter-share permitting ordinance after heated public comment and company scrutiny
Summary
The Land Use Committee advanced an ordinance that would require permits for powered (motorized) scooter-share programs, directing SFMTA to implement permitting standards (safety, data sharing, equity) and sending the measure to the full Board with a positive recommendation after extensive public testimony and company Q&A.
The Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee voted April 16 to send to the full Board a measure that would amend Division 1 of the Transportation Code to require permits for stationless powered-scooter share programs and to affirm Planning Department findings.
Sponsor Supervisor Peskin framed the ordinance as similar to last year’s stationless-bicycle permitting and said the measure is necessary to protect pedestrians, seniors and people with disabilities. Jamie Parks of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) described Division 1 as creating the permitting authority and said Division 2 (MTA permitting details) would be considered by the MTA board on May 1. Parks said core goals are preventing sidewalk riding and blocking of pedestrian paths, requiring anonymized data sharing for city planning, reviewing company privacy policies, and promoting equity and geographic coverage.
The public-comment period included disability and senior advocates who urged regulation to protect sidewalk users; neighborhood groups and safety advocates who called for docking and parking standards; and riders and company-affiliated workers who said scooters provide affordable mobility and local jobs. Company representatives (Bird, Spin, Lime) testified about operational measures they had taken — for example, requiring end-of-ride photos, offering helmets via app, user-rating systems, and local charging/maintenance hires — and apologized for any messaging that had implied pre-authorization to operate.
Supervisors pressed company representatives on a city cease-and-desist letter, a Santa Monica settlement by one company (company representative cited a settlement amount), privacy policies, and the frequent problem of scooters tipping over and creating tripping hazards. Company witnesses described rapid-response hotlines to remove hazards and said they would work with SFMTA on docking, parking standards, and permit conditions. SFMTA told the committee it planned to have the permit application and materials ready by mid-May and that it would limit operation by caps on permits and fleets until the pilot evaluation is complete.
After discussion and sponsor amendments addressing clarifications and permit expectations, the committee adopted the amendments and advanced the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation as a committee report.
