CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- To scoot or not to scoot, that is the question facing the Chicago City Council after two pilot programs for electric scooters.
After two summers of pilot programs, members of the Chicago City Council had questions about whether the city should allow dockless, electric scooters full time.
Similar to Divvy bikes, people pick up a scooter, pay for a single ride with a credit card, and then leave the scooter at their destination for another person to use. But unlike Divvy bikes, the scooters aren't connected to a dock and people can leave them anywhere.
Alderman Howard Brookins, 21st Ward, said legal issues prevented a third pilot program, so the city had to make a decision about moving ahead.
One alderman was concerned the scooters would pull people off of public transportation. Others said they were concerned that the scooters and their riders would become hazards on streets and sidewalks; and that a public campaign would be needed to teach people the rules of the road.
According to the Tribune, Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi said the city collected $1.2 million in license fees, plus $300,000 in taxes during a four-month 2020 pilot. She declined to say how much money the city would make if scooters would be allowed long term.
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