The ban targets “dockless” vehicles, both powered and unpowered scooters and bicycles, in which the supplier typically picks up the scooter from wherever it is left. The scooters are “frequently abandoned by users in streets, sidewalks, and other public places, creating visual clutter and serious safety concerns,” city documents say.
Beavercreek also does not have a continuous sidewalk system or traditional downtown, which further heightens the city’s safety concerns. City council has not yet held a formal vote.
“This did start originally with the traditional idea of the scooters, but in looking at the issue, we thought it appropriate to also address the electric bike or e-bikes, and non-powered bikes also, because in theory, they can all fit the same business model,” law director Stephen McHugh told council Monday.
Violators would be considered a “public nuisance” and charged with a misdemeanor, records show.
Several local cities currently ban shared mobility vehicles, including Centerville and Oakwood. Others, including Dayton, Kettering and Columbus, regulate their use.
The ban does not affect bicycle rentals in which the vehicle must be returned to a staffed location.
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