In a move aimed at boosting nocturnal mobility, Phoenix has now kicked scooter restrictions to the curb, allowing e-scooters and e-bikes to roam downtown streets around the clock. The Phoenix Street Transportation Department has ushered in a new six-month pilot program, doing away with the former cutoff just shy of midnight, in a bid to address transportation needs at all hours, according to ABC15.
The decision, riding on the heels of a permanent approval for Lime and Spin bikes and scooters in downtown Phoenix in January 2023, is now testing the waters to see if a 24/7 model can stand the test of time, and if riders will take advantage of the extended service; however, the city will be closely monitoring usage to determine whether the all-hours access is to become a mainstay or if the night-time curfew will be reintroduced, as reported by 12 News.
Marielle Brown, the Phoenix Active Transportation Principal Planner, spoke on the benefits of the program, acknowledging its popularity on weekends and evenings while highlighting its utility for commuters not close to other transport options. "Unless you are lucky enough to live within a few minutes walking of a train or bus station, you might have a little bit more of a walk. So, the e-bikes and e-scooters can help to fill that gap," Brown told ABC15. Data from the city showcased over 330,000 trips taken under the micro-mobility program from January through November.
While the 24/7 e-scooter bonanza heralds a new chapter for late-night travelers, it comes with sobering caveats; to curb intoxicated jaunts, users must pass a reaction test within the app between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and it's worth noting that riding under the influence may land one with a DUI, as Arizona doesn't play when it comes to DUI laws, with a first-ever DUI on an electric scooter already etched in Valley records, as per 12 News.
