VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach city staff is proposing new rules and licenses for scooter companies to operate within the city, as city council remains conflicted over how it will allow scooters to return to areas like the Resort Area.
Brian Solis, Assistant to the City Manager for Special Projects, said the city needs to establish license agreements with scooter companies before January 1, because the Virginia General Assembly recently added a section to Title 46.2 saying a company could offer scooter rentals without a license or permit. That change will be effective January 1, 2020 - so if Virginia Beach requires licensing through an ordinance before then, the city's decision will override the state legislature's.
Since the motorized scooters have made their way to Virginia Beach, residents have shared concerns about drop-off points, speed limits and if there are enough rules in place for riders. Virginia Beach citizens had the chance to share their concerns in a public survey.
City council members have already banned electric scooters at parts of the Oceanfront. Solis said up to 800 scooters were active at the Oceanfront at one point this summer, before their ban.
Solis suggests that scooter rental companies should submit proposals to operate within the city, and Virginia Beach would consider allowing multiple companies to provide a total of 1,000 scooters citywide.
Under the proposed plan, scooter companies would be required licenses fees per scooter, potentially generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue for the City of Virginia Beach to be used on public transportation projects and scooter-related costs.
There was some backlash against Bird scooters a few months back after the company dropped their scooters in and around Virginia Beach without obtaining the proper permits. This forced the city to impound hundreds of scooters.
A couple of other recommendations include making sure scooters operate at a strict speed limit at the Oceanfront and shift state law so that riders must have a driver's license or permit before using an e-scooter.