TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(WTXL) — You could be seeing more sidewalk traffic in Tallahassee soon in the form of electric scooters because city leaders are looking into bringing a pilot program to the Capital City.
While some are definitely excited about the idea safety is the biggest issue with electric scooters coming to Tallahassee. Many who WTXL spoke to Friday say people zipping around these sidewalks at 15 miles per hour, doesn't sound like a good idea.
Others say electric scooters would be an awesome way to get around the Capital City.
But before anything moves forward with this pilot program city commissioners want to know more about it.
"People getting out and being more in the community and actually walking and going to bars and restaurants and being in the neighborhood. I think that the scooters could have a big effect on so it could be positive," said Riley Dennis.
Riley Dennis says he's all for a pedestrian-friendly Tallahassee.
"Now scooters, I'm not sure. That doesn't seem like there's that much exercise involved. So I don't know if I can completely get behind the idea of scooters," said Dennis.
Right now, electric scooters are not allowed on Tallahassee sidewalks or roads and he city is considering passing a rule allowing them on sidewalks. Commissioners are doing some digging before moving forward with a pilot program.
"We want to find out what's happening in other cities that have implemented this in terms of accidents, liability. If there is liability, who's responsible," said Commissioner Curtis Richardson.
Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers are looking at a bill that would limit how local governments can regulate electric scooters.
"If we passed an ordinance and the legislature then comes back and a bill is signed into law, then it would preempt whatever it is that we would have done at the local level," said Commissioner Richardson.
Richardson says the Commission will wait to see what the legislature does.
His main concern is mixing foot traffic and electric scooters but he also worries about people having accidents and holding the city responsible.
Commissioner Richardson says right now the city has more questions than answers about introducing electric scooters to sidewalks. Commissioners asked city staff to bring new information to the table next month so they can revisit the issue and decide if a pilot program is the right thing for the Capital City.
