LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- The rise in popularity of scooters has prompted a new state law, and changes to city policy on them in Louisville. There are now three different companies doing business in Louisville: Lime, Bird, and Bolt. There have been nearly 250,000 rides. A new policy bans people from riding them on sidewalks, but so does a new state law. People are to ride on streets, or bike lanes, or bike paths. Some question how much the new rule will really be enforced or how riders will be made aware. 

"We had a lot of concerns brought up to us about the scooters moving quickly on the sidewalk and the possibility to interact with pedestrians," says Louisville's Mobility Coordinator James Graham. "We haven't seen a lot of issues with pedestrians. I think this is definitely going to help, moving forward just looking at how we can better enforce that."

Scooter riders like Alex Mashni, who was visiting Louisville on Saturday from Lexington, was unaware of the policy change that puts scooter riders on the streets. He'd prefer to stick to the sidewalks, but must make an adjustment now. 

"I don't prefer the streets, no. There's cars and if you get hit by a car, you're going to die. The sidewalk... worst case, say 'I'm coming through!' and people jump out of your way if you lose control," Mashni said. 

Mashni hopes the public will better be made aware of the rules. Graham said an education campaign is in the works. 

As for Kentucky's new state law, it also requires scooters off sidewalks, head lamps and rear red lights on scooters for when operating one half hour before sunrise and one half hour after sunset, requires that traffic passing scooters must allow at least three feet of space, and that scooters shouldn't ride more than two-deep.