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Replace these scooters with bicycles and all of the same issues apply. Imagine if real self locking bicycles were somehow theft proof and private citizens star

Replace these scooters with bicycles and all of the same issues apply. Imagine if real self locking bicycles were somehow theft proof and private citizens started putting their bicycles willy nilly everywhere. That is the only new issue that is generated by these companies, and creating more parking for bikes and other low speed vehicles is the eventual solution. The fact that these dockless bike companies have effectively created the 'theft proof' bike is pretty amazing on it's own.

seanp2k2 9y ago
Not sure how much of it is that they're theft-proof vs anyone who wants to steal one either already has or doesn't care enough to do so. You could e.g. line the inside of a U-Haul with RF-blocking material and load up a ton of these, strip the radios in there, and sell them, but if you were to try this at a large enough scale it would likely be worth them going after you. If they lose a few here and there it's probably just cheaper and easier to move on. It looks like they're using either http://www.segway.com/products/consumer-lifestyle/es2-kickscooter http://www.segway.com/products/consumer-lifestyle/es2-kicksc... or https://www.amazon.com/Electric-long-range-Fold-n-Carry-Ultra-Lightweight-electric/dp/B076KKX4BC/ https://www.amazon.com/Electric-long-range-Fold-n-Carry-Ultr... for most of these companies. The resale value probably isn't great for beat-up rental ones, especially if they still have any of the company branding on them or have e.g. obviously ripped apart electronics (or both). Bicycles can be parted out if they're expensive, or re-sold on Craigslist very easily. Many less people are in the market for these things, so it's probably just not worth the risk + small expected profits to steal them.
- woolvalley 8y ago
  It's 'theft proof' as in insurance. You don't have to worry about it being 'stolen' from you or damaged because your only responsible for it when your using it. It's not real theft & vandalism-proof, but it effectively is.

seanp2k2 9y ago

Not sure how much of it is that they're theft-proof vs anyone who wants to steal one either already has or doesn't care enough to do so. You could e.g. line the inside of a U-Haul with RF-blocking material and load up a ton of these, strip the radios in there, and sell them, but if you were to try this at a large enough scale it would likely be worth them going after you. If they lose a few here and there it's probably just cheaper and easier to move on. It looks like they're using either http://www.segway.com/products/consumer-lifestyle/es2-kickscooter http://www.segway.com/products/consumer-lifestyle/es2-kicksc... or https://www.amazon.com/Electric-long-range-Fold-n-Carry-Ultra-Lightweight-electric/dp/B076KKX4BC/ https://www.amazon.com/Electric-long-range-Fold-n-Carry-Ultr... for most of these companies. The resale value probably isn't great for beat-up rental ones, especially if they still have any of the company branding on them or have e.g. obviously ripped apart electronics (or both). Bicycles can be parted out if they're expensive, or re-sold on Craigslist very easily. Many less people are in the market for these things, so it's probably just not worth the risk + small expected profits to steal them.

woolvalley 8y ago
It's 'theft proof' as in insurance. You don't have to worry about it being 'stolen' from you or damaged because your only responsible for it when your using it. It's not real theft & vandalism-proof, but it effectively is.