The City of Indianapolis recently passed an ordinance to regulate shared motorized scooters that recently popped up around town, and Carmel may soon take a look at the issue, too.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said the scooters are currently prohibited throughout town on city streets and the Monon Trail.
“There’s a whole host of issues we’d need to work through. As of today, they would not be allowed,” Brainard said. “Some people like them, so we’re seeing whether or not there are good compromises available and looking at best practices from all over the country.”
One of the issues is whether the city would require docking stations and where they are left when not in use.
“It is also important to note that there is also the issue of blocking sidewalks, which would be a violation of the ADA if a person in a wheelchair could not get by,” said Dan McFeely, a spokesman for the City of Carmel. “Our current ordinance prohibits the blocking of sidewalks.”
Brainard expects the issue will come before the city council at some point. He said he is not aware of scooter companies attempting to bring them to Carmel.
Representatives from Bird and Lime, two companies that recently brought scooters to Indianapolis, did not respond to a request for comment as of press time.
