Rental scooters in Queens and the Bronx provided close to two million trips in 2024, with many trips starting or ending near transit. Some city officials want to remove them.

Despite the massive popularity of an e-scooter rental program in Queens, New York, city officials are pushing to end the program, writes Gersh Kuntzman in Streetsblog NYC.
“According to Lime, one of three companies operating scooters in eastern Queens, 32,000 customers took nearly 330,000 trips between the June launch and mid-December. And Bird, its competitor, told Streetsblog that its 12,544 unique riders took 132,930 scooter trips, averaging about one mile per trip.” Lime says it provided 1.8 million rides in 2024, while Bird provided oer half a million rides in Queens and the Bronx. And with such a high percentage of trips starting or ending near transit stops, it’s clear that the e-scooter network is becoming a key first-mile/last-mile connectivity tool for residents.
Yet city officials are citing vague “constituent concerns” and “safety hazards” as reasons to eliminate the program. In a statement, a borough council spokesperson wrote, “Since the program’s inception, there have been e-scooters recklessly left on sidewalks and in front of homes, driveways, small businesses, senior centers, places of worship, and other community institutions in Southeast Queens.”
FULL STORY: Scooter Use is Soaring From Bronx to Queens: Report

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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