Bloomington, Indiana – Residents of Bloomington must follow new regulations when using e-scooters.
According to a Facebook post from the Office of the Mayor, the government of Bloomington City has mandated that e-scooter firms restrict access to their scooters between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. every day. On October 13th, a new curfew will start, and it will endure all winter.
The new regulations follow the deaths of two IU students this semester caused by e-scooter incidents. A freshman, age 18, lost his life in an accident on 10th Street close to Wells Library in August. In September, a hit-and-run event on North Walnut Street resulted in the death of another rider.
On Tuesday, the city published a list of regulations for e-scooter use.
According to the announcement, riders must observe the same traffic laws as cars, which include stopping at stop signs and stoplights, signaling turns, and adhering to posted traffic laws.
According to the announcement, scooters can be used on uncrowded sidewalks, walkways, and multi-use trails. Riders in these areas are required to abide by the same laws that apply to bicyclists, including yielding to pedestrians, passing them at a distance of three feet or more, warning other vehicles and pedestrians of their impending presence with an audible signal, staying out of the way of oncoming traffic, and taking extra care not to startle pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired.
According to the announcement, riders who break the restrictions may be fined in accordance with Indiana law and the Bloomington Municipal Code.
In the release, a number of prohibited “Dismount Zones” are listed, including crosswalks and sidewalks. The majority of these spots are near Bloomington’s downtown.
2019 saw the adoption of a law by Bloomington’s City Council that limits the top speed of e-scooters to 15 mph and makes it clear that they can be used on sidewalks outside of dismount zones.
