Controversial Bird scooters still remain in Columbia weeks after its inception

Some cities in the United States have started regulating or evening banning the scooter business, while one Columbia City Council member said he hopes the Bird scooters stick around.

ABC 17 first told you about the Bird scooters coming to Columbia in August.

There was controversy at the start when a University of Missouri spokesman said he reached out to a Bird representative to voice concerns about the new scooter, but he said the meeting was unproductive.

According to Council Member Michael Trapp, the scooters have not been approved by the city.

But some residents said they are getting used to the scooters, and they have been helpful for those who do not have or cannot afford a car.

Rickey Christian, a dishwasher at Applebee’s, said since his car broke down. He’s had to walk to work for two months.

“With the Bird, it took me like half the time, it took me 20 minutes to get down here,” Christian said.

He also said the rental fee was just under two dollars.

“It wasn’t too bad on your pocket, you know,” Christian said.

But while some are giving the scooters positive reviews, there has been controversy surrounding the electronic scooter both in Columbia and nationwide.

Charleston and Milwaukee have both banned the scooters and other cities are looking further into regulations, citing safety and liability issues.

But Trapp said he believes the scooters could be a helpful tool in Columbia, especially on the Northside.

“We have real transportation challenges in Columbia and having any asset that helps people move around in a very environmental fashion. Get them up on the Northside, get them beyond downtown,” Trapp said.

He said it allows people with low incomes as a means to get to work. He said he does think there is a lack of education in “scooter use” and he said he thinks it could be fixed.

“Keeping the sideway clear, making sure that users are educated about the laws for riding on the road and not blocking the sidewalk,” Trapp said.

He said if there are problems or injuries with the scooters, it is up to the user’s discretion. But ultimately, he said the city should find a way to keep them.

Christian said he hopes they stay too: “Yeah, I’d use them, descent experience. Hopefully, they don’t ban them.”