WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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An interim operating agreement between the City of Bloomington and scooter companies Lime and Bird is now official. Both the Board of Public Works and the Board of Park Commissioners approved the agreement in their meetings yesterday.
The two scooter companies dropped off loads of electric scooters in early October, much to the city’s surprise. City Attorney Michael Rouker described elements of the new operating agreement.
Rouker said the city sought the Park Board’s approval for the agreement so scooters could be legally staged and operated on trails and in parks. Park Board members Les Coyne and Kathleen Mills expressed their concern.
The agreement also requires the companies pay a fee for the enforcement of the agreement’s regulations.
Rouker added that the companies are required to have a 24-hour service line the public can call if they see a scooter out of place. The company will have 72 hours to remedy a scooter in violation, or be fined.
The operating agreement does not require the Bloomington City Council’s approval. However, Rouker said the council will likely take action in the future to further regulate scooter use.
Indiana University has set its own policies regarding scooter use on campus.
