Providence City Councilor Calls For Removal Of E-Scooters, Bikes

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Providence City Council President is calling for an end to rented transportation in his district. President Pro Tempore Michael Correia asked JUMP bike, Bird Scooters and Lime Scooters to remove their products from the streets of Ward Six until a community meeting can be held in September.

"I have received numerous daily complaints about these bikes and scooters being left on sidewalks, blocking walkways and driveways, and being a hazard for those with mobility issues," Correia said. "I have even had complaints of bikes being vandalized by young people. I believe that we need to provide alternate and economical forms of transportation across the city, but I’m concerned that a safety plan or retrieval plan are not in place. I will be inviting representatives from these companies, and the City departments that oversee these partnerships to join me for a meeting in September to hear from the community directly."

Ward Six encompasses the Manton and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods.

JUMP bikes, which are owned by Uber, and e-scooters have been popping up in cities across the country to mixed reactions.

Several city councilors including Correia have co-sponsored a resolution calling for a "thorough and formal analysis" of the bikes and scooters, with a requirement that a report be submitted to the council to be reviewed within a month.