Glide electric scooters roll in El Paso
El Paso’s first dockless electric scooter company launched its Glide scooter at a news conference Tuesday Morning.
During the news conference the CEO and co-founder of Glide, Jonathan Lopez, addressed the multiple issues other cities have seen with their electric scooters.
For example, scooters left haphazardly on the sidewalk, blocking business, entrances and walkways. As a solution, the company said it will have full-time employees, called Glide ambassadors, to ensure people are using them correctly.
Another issue, scooter users violating traffic rules or operating them in a careless manner. The company said it will have instructions on the app and scooter, as well as social media campaigns promoting rules and safety, and communication with the city.
Lopez told ABC-7, “Proper use will be a priority for us,” adding, “Those glide ambassadors are going to make a major difference in making sure we don’t have those clutter issues.”
Last week, the director of the Planning and Inspections Department Philip Etiwe said, “Glide scooter has not applied for a business license with the city.”
Lopez said they have not been in contact with the city, he said, “everything’s been kept under raps up to now, just for competitive advantage, but now we’re excited to work with them.”
So, what are they and how do they work?
The scooters will be dockless, meaning there will be no designated station to pick up or return.
To access the scooters, you download the app and enter information like your driver’s license and credit card information. You can locate the scooters on the app. Once you find one, you scan it using the app and it unlocks the scooter.
The app will charge you $1 to start and an additional 20 cents per minute.
Once you are finished using the scooter, you end your ride on the app and park the scooter anywhere.
According to the news release, the Glide scooters will weigh 27 pounds and reach speeds up to 15 mph.
The scooters will be available to ride downtown, Sunset Heights neighborhood, Kern Place and the Cincinnati Entertainment District all the way up to Executive boulevard.
You must be 18 years old or older to ride. You must wear a helmet and a drivers license is required.
Glide is a homegrown El Paso business. The founding partners are UTEP alumni and El Paso natives.
Safety demonstrations will be held:
Oct. 10, 11 – San Jacinto Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oct. 13- Kern neighborhood @ Madeline Park from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Oct. 14- Sunset Heights @ Mundy Park from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
