Pedestrians in the Santa Monica area have been dealing with e-scooter riders for a number of years now, but new technology could change riders’ capabilities. Santa Monica is the first city in the United States to receive this technology, which is slated to be available beginning July 1, 2021.
Rideshare drivers, apart from the Independent Drivers Guild, gathered to protest the lack of unionization for rideshare drivers. The protest was small by numbers, but a wide range of speakers, including drivers and local politicians, spoke about the importance of drivers’ rights.
A driver-owned rideshare app called Co-op Ride is now available in New York City. The rideshare alternative was created by the volunteer-run Drivers Cooperative. The goal of the app is for drivers to make more money while passengers in underserved communities pay less for rides.
On May 29, 2020, a 91-year-old man was struck and killed by an electric scooter rider in Venice, California. Police are investigating the accident. A suspect is in custody.
Uber and Lyft passengers are being affected by rideshare price surges and limited driver availability. The companies are looking for ways to incentivize new drivers, but have yet to resolve the issues.