A public service announcement about safe use of electric scooters turn into a full-fledged controversy last week in Portland.
"Portland transportation officials were red-faced this week after an unnamed staffer disparaged e-scooters as 'toys' for lazy 'tech bros' just as the city’s pilot scooter program went live," according to an article by Angie Schmitt.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation account tweeted the offending comment in response to a resident who "complained the city should be doing more to promote scooters to help achieve climate goal," according to Schmitt. The Twitter thread started out with a public service announcement connected to a newly launched pilot program, which Jonathan Maus reported on earlier this month.
Or maybe they’re toys that tech bros leave lazily strewn about, blocking corner ramps needed for people with disabilities. Also, people need to know the helmet laws for scooters are different than for bicycles. We’ll see how it goes during this pilot period!
— Portland Bureau of Transportation (@PBOTinfo) July 26, 2018
The faux pas also came just days after a ground breaking study found evidence of the popularity of electric scooters among low-income residents and women. The article includes more discussion of the difficult PR battle scooters find themselves waging even as the their products find widespread adoption where they have launched.
FULL STORY: Portland Transportation Bureau Retracts Tweet Calling Electric Scooters “Toys” for “Tech Bros”
Portland Has the Scooter User Survey Data Everyone Wants
The city of Portland has released the survey results enabled by the Portland Bureau of Transportation's ongoing electric scooter pilot project.
Audit: Portland’s Vision Zero Needs More Data, Funding
A city audit found that the program has failed to reduce traffic deaths and could benefit from a more systematic approach. Meanwhile, PBOT says it needs more state funding to support road safety projects.
Portland Gas Tax Renewal Up to Voters
Without the extension, the city’s transportation bureau faces a $32 million shortfall.
2024: The Year in Zoning
Cities and states are leaning on zoning reform to help stem the housing crisis and create more affordable, livable neighborhoods.
NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide
The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.
Denver Pauses Multifamily Development in Westside Neighborhoods Amidst Gentrification Concerns
City officials say the pause on permits for redevelopment projects aims to stop the displacement of long-term residents.
Comprehensive Parking Supply, Cost, and Price Analysis
Every time somebody purchases a vehicle they expect governments and businesses to provide parking for their use. These facilities are costly. For every dollar motorists spend on their vehicles somebody spends about a dollar on parking.
Learning From Wildfire Evacuations
Researchers are working to understand how people behave during wildfire events and how to most effectively get people to safety during deadly fires.
Parking Reform Yields New Housing
As more cities eliminate or reduce their minimum parking requirements, the impact on housing supply is coming into focus.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Berkeley County
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
Ada County Highway District
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland