LOS ANGELES - Although DTLA arrived relatively late to the e-scooter game, now that city's one-year pilot program is in full swing, downtown has seen a veritable explosion of them.

In April, the city permitted eight operators and tens of thousands of scooters to be deployed, many going to DTLA. For many, scooters are a great way to ditch the car and get around, but for many others, the sudden onslaught of these electric, motorized vehicles has become a nuisance.

Mario Bardales, who is blind, appeared at a recent town hall meeting to voice his concerns about the now ubiquitous scooters which he believes have significantly altered the sidewalk landscape, increasing the potential for dangerous obstacles for those with disabilities. 

“These mobile devices are anywhere in the city,” said Bardales. “It makes me worry when I hit one of those devices on the street, that next time I'm very concerned to go outside. Because I am afraid of hitting myself. That's my concern not only for me, but for my other friends who are totally blind.”

Even though the city has created “Parking Zones,” many local business owners and residents are fed up with carelessly parked scooters and users riding on the sidewalks. Some, like Bardales, are suggesting the city put a hold on the pilot program until a better system can be worked out. 

Also at the town hall was Geoffrey Straniere, the City of L.A.’s Senior Project Coordinator for Department on Disability (Access Compliance).

“I think very few people are actually using the sidewalks as an intent to maliciously undermine the pedestrian traffic and persons with disabilities,” said Straniere. “At the same time, we have to encourage that the roadway is the place for these [scooters].” 

Although the L.A. Department of Transportation and the scooter companies pointed out correctly that there are many rules and regulations in place already, critics say there's no enforcement and that an undue measure of responsibility for marshalling the scooters lies with the public.

But many scooter proponents say any new technology is going to take some patience to work out.

Long-time DTLA resident Josh Gray-Emmer, who loves the scooters, said, “Nothing's going to be perfect. This is a pilot program. It's just starting out. I want to see all of the data at the end of the program and I want to see what the companies are willing due to fix any legitimate problems. But I certainly caution against just throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”

“We are discovering they are learning from the implementation of the program,” added Bardales. “They are not experts to have this pilot program running.”

Bardales said he will continue to give his input at these public forums as the LADOT will be holding more of them throughout the duration of the pilot period.