Several readers submitted letters to Ocala-News.com to share their thoughts on bringing electric scooter and bicycle rentals to downtown Ocala.
“Downtown is already confusing to drivers without adding to the problem. Streets have been changed, some that were two lanes are now one, street parking is already hazardous having to watch before opening driver doors, and add to this the fact that golf carts are traveling certain roads. If a rider doesn’t know how to handle an electric bike or scooter, they are putting themselves, pedestrians, and drivers in danger. Someone on a scooter may cut between cars, endangering themselves because of oncoming traffic. Someone on an E-bike that doesn’t know how to stop may hit a pedestrian. And most of all, downtown is not set up with bike lanes big enough to handle E-bikes,” says Belleview resident Theresa Grimes.
“I do believe scooters should be allowed downtown. Many places even have larger bicycle lanes that allow for scooters of all types and bikes. Do something that will help people get around our town, be it scooters, bikes, or golf carts. Let them go. Then the man who drives his riding lawn mower to the store will have a few more options,” says Cynthianna Hamby, Ocala resident.
“My wife and I spent a week at Lake Tahoe a few months ago. They have electric scooters for people to rent in the towns around the Lake. They were everywhere, where we were staying. They were laying in the middle of the sidewalks, littered all around the grocery store parking lot, and generally an eyesore. If you want to make Ocala look like a junk yard for scooters, allow one of these companies to consume the common spaces in downtown. It will become just another good reason not to go downtown,” says Ocala resident Matthew Verrando.