Programmed settings for different areas could help a lot.
The problem isn’t the scooters; it’s some of the people riding them. They can be operated safely without inconveniencing pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. I’d rather have the idiots who use them irresponsibly on one of those scooters than behind the wheel of a full sized automobile.
They’re wicked fun to use, convenient, and efficient. As an urban bike rider, I heartily approve of their use.
I’ve used a non-electric scooter for years. While they have some considerable limitations, in the right context they are remarkably handy, can be folded up and taken onto public transportation, get you where you’re going much faster, and are rather fun. My daughter and I scoot to school every morning together on our respective scooters.
Sadly, mine just gave up the ghost earlier this week as the front wheel snapped off, throwing me in a spectacular fashion (fortunately I do wear a helmet). To be fair, it had had four years of very hard, almost daily use and I estimate about 2000 miles of riding in total over that time, so I shouldn’t be surprised it went out like that.
I’ll probably just switch for my bike for the time being until I decide whether I want another one - the prices have gone up and up since I last bought mine and I need to consider whether it’s worth replacing at current costs.
But I have no interest in an e-scooter. You can’t ride them on the sidewalks or take them on the train, riding them in traffic is really dangerous, and they just seem to annoy everyone around them.
I do think they have a place and use. Definitely a fun use in the right places. Lots of things I do involve a thing made for fun. So my " Just no. " has to exclude that.
My biggest personal negative is substituting all that metal, plastic, material in the mechanics and the battery materials that are yet to be well recycled, in substitution for able bodied walking or jogging. A waste of resources to bypass a healthy activity.
When/if battery material can be very well reused, that will knock off a big part of my negative view. Also use the least amount of plastic in them. Which thankfully is already pretty low.
Universal charging outlets! For every EV. Or at least cheap easy converter dongles. Can we avoid the so far USB type of cluster F? EU has finally said USB C only. Hopefully D takes a while to arrive.
I say, Just No, at this moment in time. At this moment in the fuzzy mess. What I hope for is Just Sort It Out, at this early stage. Not easy. But I hope to see better efforts.
When the engine dies, if ever on my Wee Strom, I may DIY it to EV. Have yet to run it down the sidewalk. But if need be…