New regulations in Atlanta and San Diego are to blame for Uber’s (NYSE:UBER) removal of Jump bikes from the regions, an email from JUMP seen by TechCrunch says. The move comes after Barbara Bry, a San Diego councilperson, called for a temporary ban on electric bikes and scooters in the city. According to the councilperson, the ban should hold until the city figures out a “fiscally responsible and thoughtful plan.”
Unsustainable operating environment
According to Barbara Bry, her support for the moratorium of Uber bikes stems from “continued complaints and injuries.” Therefore, the temporary ban on the electric scooters should allow the council enough time to put up proper regulations of the bikes. In April, the City Council of San Diego erected regulations to oversee operation of the scooters. This came after the City’s Mayor proposed a legal framework late last year aimed at regulating the Uber bikes.
Bry argued that electric scooters obstructed public spaces hence denying San Diegans the right to “a safe, unobstructed and accessible public right of way.” According to the Times of San Diego, the City Council impounded close to 2,500 dockless scooters and bikes. In their email, JUMP noted that the regulations in San Diego have created an “unsustainable operating environment.”
No permits for new dockless vehicles
In Atlanta, Uber will pull out the e-bikes only but not the e-scooters. Interestingly, the decision comes just nine months after the e-bikes first appeared in the city. Notably, the company promised users that the e-bikes would provide safer and cheaper mobility. However, the sight of the bikes dotting the city seemed not palatable for city officials. As a result, they imposed a ban on permits for new dockless bikes. Further, the city disallowed the operation of the dockless vehicles at night. The city promised to put up temporary bike lanes citywide to ensure safety for users.
In an email to users, JUMP said that its bikes will no longer be available starting September 13. The decision follows similar emails to users in San Antonio and Dallas both blamed on regulatory hurdles.
