Like it or not, it looks as if e-scooters are returning to Jefferson City.
If you're not a fan, you might think the "e" stands for "entitlement," instead of electric. Riders feel entitled to dart in front of traffic, ride illegally on sidewalks and leave unused scooters in the streets.
Jefferson City started a bike rental program for exercise and entertainment. That morphed into a scooter-rental program, which doesn't really have the exercise component. Then, Spin, the company the city contracted with, pulled the scooters, unhappy with its profits.
So we can see the downside of having the city swarming with scooters. To some of us, it's like skate punks on steroids.
But they are fun to ride and - much like adult store billboards and Sunday beer sales - keeping them at bay only works so long.
So the city is wisely looking to regulate them. That way, it can control the rules and hold scooter-sharing companies responsible if rules aren't heeded. City Attorney Ryan Moehlman has worked with scooter-sharing company Bird, which has tentatively agreed to proposed regulations patterned after the city of Columbia.
Jefferson City would have an open market approach to scooter-sharing programs, so no one company would get an exclusive contract. Also, the regulations would apply to all "small vehicles," including scooters, (e-scooters), bikes, e-bikes and skateboards.
The city would get a cut of 25 cents per ride, and companies that operate in the city would be responsible for ensuring regulations are followed.
The company will be responsible for ensuring regulations are followed. If scooter riders leave scooters in streets or sidewalks, for instance, the city could essentially fine the operating company.
If there are too many problems, the city could use a termination clause in the contract.
We think the city's approach is the right one. Some people in our city love e-scooters and some hate them. Like skateboards, it's often a person's age that makes that determination.
But if we're going to have scooters, we need to have them on our own terms. The city's attorney and the City Council are looking to do just that.