BY HANNAH LESTER
HLESTER@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN —
The Auburn City Council heard an update on the “scooter phenomenon” Tuesday night during the council meeting.
“The issue that we have is that neither state legislation nor city code directly or effectively regulates and defines the electronic scooter that is so widely used around the university’s campus,” said Public Safety Executive Director Will Matthews.
These scooters are often privately owned, which isn’t defined state-wide, Matthews said.
Matthews’ and the city’s recommendation was to amend the city code to both define an electronic scooter and ban its use downtown.
Police Chief Cedric Anderson said that there had been citizen complaints of being almost struck by scooters in the downtown area.
One option would be to limit electric scooters to the road, like a vehicle.
Ward 3 Council Member Beth Witten asked about electric bikes, which Matthews said are held under the limitations of regular bikes.
Ward 2 Council Member Kelley Griswold said he recommends the scooter be held under the definitions and limitations of a bicycle.
Matthews said the accident rate is probably 50% on campus and 50% off campus, but in areas adjacent to campus.
Ward 8 Council Member Tommy Dawson was in conflict with Griswold’s desire to define the scooter and limit it. Dawson said he could foresee a child receiving a scooter for Christmas, riding it on the sidewalk and being ticketed.
He also expressed a desire not to put any more responsibility on officers.
“I’m not sure I understand why the motorized scooter would be treated as a motor vehicle and the electric bicycle would not be treated the same way,” said Ward 4 Council Member Tyler Adams.
Matthews said this is due to the state defining the electric bicycle as a bicycle.
Witten suggested the electric scooters be subjected to the same laws as a bicycle — not allowed on the sidewalk but allowed in the multi-use lane on the road at the users’ own risk.
The council members agreed the conversation should be ongoing and no agreement was reached Tuesday night.
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The council recognized AHS for the flag football championship.
– The council approved a contract with Inline Electric Supply Inc. for the purchase of traffic signal poles and mast arms on North Dean Road and East University Drive for the Intersection Improvements Project for over $172,700.
– The council approved a contract with Pump & Process Equipment Inc. for the replacement of parts for pump No.4 at the Northside Water Pollution Control Facility Transfer for over $25,700.
– The council approved two positions to the Auburn Public Library Board.
– The council approved a tax abatement for SCA Inc. at 764 W. Veterans Blvd. in the Auburn Technology Park North.
– The council approved a contract with D & J Enterprises Inc. for the Annalue Drive and East University Drive Intersection Improvements Project for over $1 million.
– The council approved the adoption of the Community Development Block Grant 2023 Annual Action Plan and funding recommendations.
The next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18.