Winston-Salem Prepares For Return Of Electric Scooters

Power-assisted scooters will soon be returning to Winston-Salem. 

Bird scooters made a brief and controversial appearance in the city last year. While the scooters were popular, some residents complained about people riding on sidewalks and weaving through traffic.

City officials banned the vehicles until regulations could be drawn up.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that with the new rules now in place, five companies have applied to put their scooters out for rent, although Bird is not among the current applicants.

The new regulations state that the scooters can't be ridden on greenways or public sidewalks. They will also be forbidden in public parks, parking decks and Old Salem. Riders must be at least 16-years-old. The company providing the scooters will have to be able to determine when a vehicle is in a prohibited area, and must agree to relieve the city of any liability for injuries.  

Officials expect to make a decision on a scooter provider in the next two or three weeks.