The city of Newark (NJ) is trying. It really is.
Last July, Newark mayor Ras Baraka launched a program to supplement the city’s public transportation. It’s been controversial in many cities across the country, but it seems to have gained a foothold in New Jersey’s largest city. What it does is provide electric bikes and scooters for people to get from point A to point B without waiting on a bus, Uber, light rail, etc.
I’ll have more on the ‘point-A-to-point-B’ thing in a bit.
It’s a great idea for a quick trip. Here’s my issue.
I’ve grown a little tired of seeing these scooters randomly…and I do mean RANDOMLY…cast aside when people are done with them outside apartment buildings and on street corners.
And don’t get me started about the scene outside Penn Station in Newark.
Perhaps this is what the creators of the service intended. It’s as if to say, “when you’re done, leave it. Somebody will come and scoop them up.” The problem is they sit there for days on end. Some won’t even — after using the scooter — move it just a few feet to the area of a city park where they picked it up from. It’s disappointing to see spent scooters strewn about in a city that is trying very hard to overcome a not-so-stellar reputation of the past.
It’s a small thing. I get that. But people…if you want Newark to be an option to go to because the entertainment and eatery options in New York City or Brooklyn or Harlem are just a little too much for you, let’s try not to have visitors trip over scooters left behind.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD!! 