For pedestrians irritated by electric scooters left in their sidewalk pathways, relief may be coming.
Officials with the Department of Public Works are launching a pilot program to better organize scooter parking along Mass Ave and provide greater structure for the parking of scooters on the Avenue.
According to a DPW press release, the initiative aims to improve sidewalk access, safety and ADA compliance while preventing scooters from blocking key areas like the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and building entrances.
Key details:
* Geofencing will restrict where scooters can end rides.
* Volunteers will help DPW designate scooter parking zones on and near the sidewalks with care to preserve pedestrian access.
* Once marked, the city will require scooter companies to designate the painted areas as the only place scooters can be parked on Mass Ave (two blocks wide from New York Street to Bellefontaine Street). Failure to do so will prevent the scooter meter from turning off.
The pilot program will:
– Reduce sidewalk clutter.
– Improve pedestrian safety.
– Maintain ADA accessibility.
– Collect data to optimize future parking policies.
A volunteer work session is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, to paint the outline of the scooter parking areas by cleaning pavement areas prior to painting, laying out scooter parking areas, and painting designated areas.
Volunteers should meet in front of the Marott Building in the foyer of 342 Mass Ave at 10 a.m. (the Mass Ave Community Room between Garden Table Restaurant and Tucker Realty). Supplies to be provided include safety vests, painting tools, painters’ tape, paint and gloves. Volunteers should wear old clothes and sturdy shows. To sign up, to go https://forms.office.com/g/tgxJUfgZkf.
