[NFB-Idaho] FW: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] Information Requested

Fri Nov 8 16:56:30 UTC 2019

I believe that our state affiliate needs to get started to address these issues about scooters in communities that are using them. The first thing to do is for anyone that has had experiences with these scooters to either share on our Idaho discussion list or email me directly. Let me know about scooters in your cities. We have them in Boise and I already know of at least 1 fatality that has occurred to a teen that was riding a scooter. This is a national issue and it’s now time for us to get involved in working together to develop solutions. Please respond. Thanks.

From: State-Affiliate-Leadership-List [mailto:state-affiliate-leadership-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of President, National Federation of the Blind via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2019 2:24 PM
To: State Affiliate Leadership List
Cc: President, National Federation of the Blind; Peret, Maurice
Subject: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] Information Requested

Below is a message I am sending on behalf of Maurice Peret, chairperson of the Committee on Automobile and Pedestrian Safety. I urge that you give it your attention. And, as always, please remember to reply off list. 

Dear Affiliate President: 

I am reaching out to you in my capacity as chairperson of the Committee on Automobile and Pedestrian Safety. In order to act on our Resolution 2019-13, passed at last summer’s annual convention, regarding the proliferation of dockless electric scooters, the President has asked the committee to do some follow up, and we need your help and input. 

As a reminder, the resolution includes these action items: 

·        Call upon the United States Congress to establish a minimum sound standard for dockless electric scooters.

·        Urge state and local governments to work with affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind to enact laws regulating scooter use to control parking, prohibit riding on sidewalks, and generally avoid disrupting the flow of pedestrian traffic.

·        Demand that all dockless electric scooter companies place their company name, scooter identification number, and contact information on each scooter in a format accessible and easily detectible by the blind and that these companies develop accessible websites and mobile applications so that blind pedestrians can easily communicate reports of misuse or injury.

Here is what we need from you: 

1. We want to hear from our members about encounters with these personal mobility vehicles, not to be misconstrued to include wheelchairs and other mobility devices used by those with ambulatory disabilities. Dockless electric scooters, electric bicycles, and even electric skateboards have appeared on streets and sidewalks in our cities and towns around the nation, seemingly overnight. Documented injuries and fatalities have already occurred resulting from the unregulated use of these vehicles, and we need to join with other pedestrian rights groups to advocate for sensible policies that protect the safety of all pedestrians, including those of us who are blind. 

2. We need to know the names of the companies in your region who operate or pilot these programs. In Chicago, for example, ten distinct companies are now being piloted. 

3. What specific advocacy work is being done in your area? We need to have a coordinated approach towards this work. We have appointed a working group to craft language in coordination with our national advocacy and policy group for a model ordinance that can be presented in local and state legislatures as we target the key players in this industry to implement nonvisual access to identify the companies associated with individual vehicles. 

Please share your information by emailing me at mperet at nfb.org. 

Thank you for everything you do to build the National Federation of the Blind. 

Sincerely, 

Maurice Peret

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