{"id":345,"date":"2024-09-13T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/sandra-ung\/?p=345"},"modified":"2026-08-07T17:31:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:31:48","slug":"cm-ung-introduces-legislation-to-prohibit-shared-e-scooter-program-in-flushing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/sandra-ung\/2024\/09\/13\/cm-ung-introduces-legislation-to-prohibit-shared-e-scooter-program-in-flushing\/","title":{"rendered":"CM Ung Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Shared E-Scooter Program in Flushing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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During Thursday\u2019s Stated Meeting of the New York City Council, Councilmember Sandra Ung introduced legislation that would prohibit the operation of a shared electric scooter system in Flushing. Over the summer, the Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented its Shared E-Scooter program across a large section of Eastern Queens, including the majority of the district represented by Councilmember Ung.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince the implementation of this program, my office has received a steady stream of complaints about dangerous operators and improperly parked scooters blocking sidewalks and entrances to businesses and homes,\u201d said Councilmember Sandra Ung. \u201cI was clear with DOT when this proposal was first presented to me over a year ago: expanding this program to Flushing is a mistake. While it may be beneficial for other neighborhoods, our unique challenges and dense urban environment make this plan unworkable and detrimental to our community. Unfortunately, we are now seeing the issues that I, the local community board, and my constituents feared would become a reality. DOT\u2019s unwillingness to listen to the concerns of our community and arrive at a workable compromise has left me no choice but to seek a legislative solution to a problem they created.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile my legislation will only affect parts of Flushing, I continue to believe shared e-scooter programs are wrong for my entire Council District, and will continue to pressure DOT to eliminate it entirely from every neighborhood in District 20,\u201d added Councilmember Ung. <\/p>\n

Intro 1045 would prohibit the DOT from allowing a person, organization, or entity that operates a fleet of shared e-scooters available for rental on a short-term basis to install scooter parking corrals and infrastructure on certain streets in Flushing. The legislation would also prohibit the operation of a shared electric scooter on the same streets. <\/p>\n

Last June, DOT began allowing three private companies currently operating a shared e-scooter program in the Bronx \u2013 Bird, Lime and Veo \u2013 to add 6,000 e-scooters to the streets and sidewalks of eastern Queens. <\/p>\n

The program created approximately 40 parking corrals on sidewalks and roadways in Flushing, which consist of painted lines, where users are required to park the e-scooters. Unfortunately, many riders are simply leaving the scooters in random locations, including inside a no-parking zone in the heart of downtown Flushing. <\/p>\n

In areas outside downtown Flushing, users are permitted to leave the scooter virtually anywhere after they end their ride, often blocking sidewalks, driveways, crosswalks, and entrances to businesses and homes. These scooters are not only a nuisance, they are a very real hazard for the elderly and those with mobility issues. <\/p>\n

In July of last year, Councilmember Sandra Ung wrote a letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez expressing her concerns and urging him to reconsider bringing the shared e-scooter program to Flushing. She reiterated her opposition in multiple subsequent meetings with department representatives<\/p>\n

In May, Councilmember Ung held a press conference with representatives from Community Board 7 and the Flushing Business Improvement District to state their shared opposition to the expansion of the program to Flushing. They noted that Flushing is the busiest bus-to-train transfer location in the mass transit system, with tens of thousands of commuters passing through the neighborhood daily.<\/p>\n

Since taking office, Councilmember Ung has been working to address the congestion on sidewalks in downtown Flushing caused by unlicensed street vendors and business owners that unlawfully display merchandise in public spaces in front of their stores.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur community deserves safe, walkable streets and sidewalks, not additional obstacles and hazards,\u201d said Councilmember Ung. \u201cThroughout the department\u2019s community outreach, DOT continually ignored the concerns of our immigrant community, and instead chose to go forward with this despite overwhelming opposition. I wish DOT had been willing to work with us to find solutions that enhance our community, not place additional burdens on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During Thursday\u2019s Stated Meeting of the New York City Council, Councilmember Sandra Ung introduced legislation that would prohibit the operation of a shared electric scooter system in Flushing. Over the summer, the Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented its Shared E-Scooter program across a large section of Eastern Queens, including the majority of the district represented by Councilmember Ung.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince the implementation of this program, my office has received a steady stream of complaints about dangerous operators and improperly parked scooters blocking sidewalks and entrances to businesses and homes,\u201d said Councilmember Sandra Ung.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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