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If it is impossible to run a profitable e-scooter rental service even with the current terms, imagine how much money the companies would burn if they could not

If it is impossible to run a profitable e-scooter rental service even with the current terms, imagine how much money the companies would burn if they could not externalise the costs of accidents to riders' insurance companies and taxpayers (in locales with public healthcare). In my home town the scooters have almost exclusively been used to replace walking. They have not reduced the market share of other means of motorised transport. People walk less because of scooters. There has been a notable amount of broken bones and even a few cases of severe brain trauma suffered by riders, and taxpayers end up paying for everything. So I could argue that all the effects on the society have been negative.

jandrese 7y ago
I'd expect them to cannibalize taxi/bus/subway rides to some degree. They seem like a pretty good alternative for people who want to travel some middling distance like a dozen blocks that would be a somewhat lengthy walk but a fairly short taxi ride. Plus it could definitely be faster if the traffic is congested.
- asdff 7y ago
  Once you start getting to the 20 minute mark the scooter ride stops being so cheap, and you were probably better off getting an uber and going farther and faster for about the same price. I don't think it can replace the subways as they are used here in la. A scooter can't go from downtown to hollywood in 20 minutes; not even cars hit the 70mph the subway does in this city.
  - bergie 7y ago
    In theory that's the point of scooters like this. Take public transportation to as close as it takes you, and then use a scooter for the "last mile". I think that's fine for those averse to walking. I personally prefer to walk everywhere reasonable (<1h walking time)
  - jandrese 7y ago
    If it is taking you 20 minutes to go a dozen blocks on a motorized scooter then maybe it is the wrong tool for the job.
    - asdff 7y ago
      It definitely is. I think they should nix the unlock fee to further incentivize this, personally.

jandrese 7y ago

I'd expect them to cannibalize taxi/bus/subway rides to some degree. They seem like a pretty good alternative for people who want to travel some middling distance like a dozen blocks that would be a somewhat lengthy walk but a fairly short taxi ride. Plus it could definitely be faster if the traffic is congested.

asdff 7y ago
Once you start getting to the 20 minute mark the scooter ride stops being so cheap, and you were probably better off getting an uber and going farther and faster for about the same price. I don't think it can replace the subways as they are used here in la. A scooter can't go from downtown to hollywood in 20 minutes; not even cars hit the 70mph the subway does in this city.
- bergie 7y ago
  In theory that's the point of scooters like this. Take public transportation to as close as it takes you, and then use a scooter for the "last mile". I think that's fine for those averse to walking. I personally prefer to walk everywhere reasonable (<1h walking time)
- jandrese 7y ago
  If it is taking you 20 minutes to go a dozen blocks on a motorized scooter then maybe it is the wrong tool for the job.
  - asdff 7y ago
    It definitely is. I think they should nix the unlock fee to further incentivize this, personally.