Denver gives Scooters the space they deserve

Re: “Denver council approves scooter law changes,” Jan. 9 news story

The city council deserves applause for taking scooters seriously as a transportation option, and other cities should follow suit. With proper adoption, these zippy vehicles could have a tremendous influence on Denver’s transportation. And it’s urgent: replacing trips in personal cars with small, lightweight, zeroemission vehicles will be a key component in any meaningful effort to make our streets safer, cut down on pollution, and help meet the city’s climate goals.

But as we’ve seen, there is a critical tension as we welcome new mobility options; they are forced to compete for space on roads that we’ve historically ceded almost entirely to cars. To maximize the potential for scooters and bikes to positively transform our city, Denver needs to reallocate space in a way that reflects our priorities. Shifting road space and parking to smaller, slower vehicles will be essential to reap the benefits of new transportation options. Alana Miller, Denver