Madrid joins the cities that rental electric scooters banned: has unilaterally revoked the contract with the three companies that provided this service in the city, which must withdraw them in the coming weeks.
The City Council has confirmed that “will not grant new authorizations for this service”so the only alternative mobility solution will be limited to BiciMad bicycles. These MVPs, according to the council, have not met the requirements for adequate coexistence and safety for pedestrians.
Parked anywhere and driving on sidewalks
In May 2023, Madrid implemented its network of electric scooters with three rental companies: Lime, Dott y Tier MobilityThe contract had been set for three years, but it will remain at a year and a half: today the council has announced that revoke this contract with the three signatures.
The withdrawal will begin in the next few days, having until October for complete dismantling. At this time, Madrid residents and users will not be able to use this service.
The service was limited to 6,000 scooters (2,000 for each of these operators)to prevent the city streets from being flooded with scooters. It also established some limitations to ensure the safety of other users, especially pedestrians.
#Madrid revokes the authorizations of rental scooters and they will no longer be able to circulate on the streets of the city
Lime, Dott and Tier Mobility will have to withdraw their vehicles from October for failing to comply with the obligations established in the bases
pic.twitter.com/TgmcTfEk84— Madrid City Council (@MADRID) September 5, 2024
Among them that were not lying on the sidewalkswhich circulate where the regulations establish and which comply with an equitable distribution throughout the city. The council of José Luís Martínez-Almeida assures that this has not been fulfilled. This allows them to revoke it without compensation, although the companies will be able to present objections in the next 20 days.
Without control of use and without reaching the entire city. Specifically, they specify that these companies had to have the necessary technology to comply with the agreed requirements. For example, “in the Central District they had to park only in designated areas.” And in the rest of the city, in spaces for bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds, unless there were no designated spaces within 50 m.
On the other hand, they argue, They also did not circulate correctly where they should, since they are prohibited from doing so on sidewalks and pedestrian areas.. They also could not end their journey on streets with pedestrian priority, or in pedestrian areas adjacent to large parks.
In addition, it should prevent the journey from starting or ending on pedestrian priority streets, on sidewalks or in pedestrian spaces adjacent to historic parks such as El Retiro. The council argues that “They have no evidence that this technology has been implemented” and which is also not fulfilled by users.
The centre of Madrid has several streets that are already pedestrianised and many areas with narrow pavements, where a scooter lying on the pavement means that it is impossible to pass.
Finally, they point out that They also did not provide service throughout the city with the agreed deployment: The City Council limited the number of scooters located inside the M-30 to 3,600 and 2,400 in the rest of the municipality. Although more specifically they explain that the companies did not send the information required in the inspections. In addition, they have not provided the training courses for the agreed users.
As reported in El Paísit is common to find scooters badly parked or thrown in the streets, as well as circulating on the sidewalks. All this despite the fact that the fine for doing so is high: 200 euros or 100 euros with a reduction. This has been happening for years, with more than 11,000 fines imposed between 2021 and 2023, and the new contract was precisely intended to prevent this, something it has not achieved.
Only BiciMad, which promises to expand service. From October, the only alternative means of transport will be limited to the BiciMad bicycle network, which was revamped last year with a new model and a promise to increase its number from 3,000 to 7,500 bikes.
According to Martínez-Almeida, this service will be extended to all 21 districts of the city, ensuring that it will more than meet the mobility needs left by the end of rental electric scooters.
In any case, Madrid is becoming another capital to do away with rental MVPs shortly after implementing them. Barcelona and Paris already did so last year, for similar reasons.
Source: www.motorpasion.com
