By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – The Sequim City Council voted Monday to enter into a 12-month pilot program agreement with the Bird e-scooter company (see our previous story here).
But that doesn’t necessarily mean scooters are coming to Sequim because company spokesman Mike Butler told the council they are still analyzing the market before committing.
If the company is hesitant, it’s because Butler says they’d prefer to have a regional market on the peninsula, including Port Angeles, and indicated that they have approached Port Angeles officials with a proposal.
“I’m also working on getting more of a regionalized focus with Port Angeles as well, which makes this entire peninsula a bit more feasible, to where we can actually bring the service and make sure that we’re there for a long time. So, I’d rather make sure that we’re 100% confident in it and take that time, as opposed to having to pull out after a short stint.”
The Sequim Council voted 5-2 to allow a test run that would go through September 2023. Those opposed were Councilor Kathy Downer, who said she was worried that older people will trip over scooters that are left on sidewalks, and Deputy Mayor Brandon Janisse wanted a 6-month contract, not a full year.
If the company decides to go forward, it will take them 4-5 weeks to get up and running, including finding a contractor to collect and recharge the scooters on a nightly basis. Butler says, in a town the size of Sequim, they would likely start with about 60 scooters. He says their rule is that a rider must be 18 or older to participate.
Councilor Lowell Rathbun did some research on his own. He’s in favor of anything that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but he’s not sure Sequim has the right demographic for the program.
“I looked up an article in the Seattle Times, and there’s widespread use of scooters in that city. These scooters are used in Seattle mostly for recreation, commuting, and going to the restaurant. They did some statistics. The trips are about 15 minutes long, and four-fifths of the users are below the age of 44. My own question is; I don’t think seniors are going to use scooters. Will this program take off in Sequim?”
The company appears to be wondering the same thing at this time, and the answer might depend on whether Port Angeles officials elect to participate.
City Manager Nathan West says the company approached them two months ago and they have had a number of meetings. He says the company’s hope is to include another local city in their regional approach.
“I do know that there is a desire for a regional approach that would include the City of Port Angeles, the City of Sequim, and the City of Port Townsend. And I know it’s something that Community Development Manager Bolin, prior to her departing at the City of Port Angeles, had also hoped to carry into a conversation in her new role at the City of Port Townsend.”
West says that because Emma Bolin was the project’s point person on his staff before departing, staff are working to get up to speed on the proposal before presenting something to Council.