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A lesson for entrepreneurs, it really is better to go around the bureaucracy. Uber and Lyft would not exist if they had "played nice". We can imagine a world w
by joshe 7y ago
A lesson for entrepreneurs, it really is better to go around the bureaucracy.
Uber and Lyft would not exist if they had "played nice". We can imagine a world where certain regulation would have improved their service for riders and drivers. But in the real world, if they had complied with every ask, cities would have crippled them with requirements when they first started. (Ok, you can do your Lyft thing, but let's start with 100 cars, for say, the first 3 years).
A lesson for regulators, regulation creates environments where the people who succeed are the ones who work the refs and skirt intent. These are probably less likely to be the best companies or the nicest people.
So a quick call, like "hey, put A3 in here or we can't count it" could make the world a little better. And if you would prefer to regulate people who follow the intent and not the letter of the law, you need to govern that way.
- tempsy 7y agoEh. To me the whole VC e-scooter industry is a “stupid game, stupid prize” sector that won’t be around in a few years anyway. I hardly ever see anyone riding scooters in SF. The scooter companies keep raising their prices in lock step because they have to, but it’s now gone from $.15/min to $.32-.33/min, which is more than $20/hr with tax. It’s cheaper to just use an Uber. Have no idea who they are targeting with those prices. Kids can’t afford that. Adults would rather take an Uber at those prices.
- llampx 7y agoWhat do you mean? I've always wanted to perch precariously on a machine that's statistically much more likely to leave me bruised and bleeding on the side of the road than the other "fresh air" alternatives, bicycling and walking, and be a hazard to others while I am at it. :)
- P_I_Staker 7y agoThis is a massive problem though. Businesses should be able to work with the bureaucracy. They shouldn't be incentivized to break the law. The benefits of circumventing the bureaucracy should not exceed the costs.