E-scooters return to Portland streets in April

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation has announced a new e-scooter pilot program that will run for one year.

The program that will start April 26 follows a 120-day pilot program in 2018 that showed e-scooters have the potential to help reduce congestion and pollution, officials say. However, KOIN reports it also raised concerns about people riding e-scooters on sidewalks, violating traffic laws and creating issues with people walking and people with disabilities.

Companies can now submit applications for a one-year permit.

Portland officials added that companies will face a new set of regulations in hopes of eliminating issues seen in the first pilot program, like riding on and blocking the sidewalks. Users not following the guidelines will be suspended or fined.