Golden Valley Considers Ordinance for Scooters, E-Bikes
The Golden Valley City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that would govern micromobility vehicles like bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters that people rent through smartphone apps. Last summer, Golden Valley became the first suburb in Minnesota to have LimeBikes. There were between 50 and 75 LimeBikes that people could rent and ride using a smartphone app.
LimeBike wants to come back this summer. And the city believes it’s only the beginning of other micromobility vehicles wanting to operate in the suburb.
So, city council members are discussing an ordinance that includes information like the number of micromobility vehicles and licenses allowed. The proposed ordinance says there would be four licenses and a total number of 200 vehicles in the city.
“I have a hard time giving out four licenses and what that will mean to our city,” said Joanie Clausen, city council member. “What are we going to get out of that? What advantage does is our city and our residents going to get out of that?”
City council members also expressed concerns about liability, data collection by the micromobility companies, and just how many vehicles are truly needed to meet the needs of residents and for the venture to be considered a viable enterprise for the companies involved.
“I’d hate to kill the goose that lays the golden egg, because I think this is a very valuable service to our community. But it’s one that needs some controls,” said Larry Fonnest, city council member.
The first reading of the proposed ordinance did pass by a 3-2 vote.
