One of the themes of 2018 has been the irruption of electric scooters in large cities, showing itself as an attempt to offer mechanized and urban mobility at an affordable price with moderate capacities. What is it really like to use an electric scooter in Madrid?
During 2018 we have heard endless news about electric scooters, mostly about the emergence of services such as Bird and Lime in the main cities of the western world. In the United States, these scooter rental services appeared that tried to give more mobility, especially to what mobility experts understand as "the last mile". This concept understands the first and last kilometer and a half of the trip to a destination within the city, being crucial, since many experts estimate in kilometer and a half the maximum that a person can walk when starting and finishing a trip in public transport before considering an alternative such as the car, which entails a higher cost, but which provides much more comfort to many travellers.
In places where scooter rental services are not buoyant, it is estimated that a large part of the trips have as their destination or start a point of public transport. It is possible that some have put aside using the car for a scooter, but in Madrid it is difficult to have that level of impact. The Metro network is highly efficient despite cuts and increased waiting times, and the bus service is objectively versatile in commuting within the city. But, even with all that, is it worth using or having an electric scooter in Madrid?
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Experiences of an electric scooter in Madrid
The most important thing to consider is the factor that this is with an electric scooter owned, while the vast majority of news of illegalization correspond to rental services. That said, it should be said that, in general aspects, I highly recommend that there be an electric scooter in every home, as it manages to provide some mobility for trips within the same neighborhood or city, allowing you to quickly reach places where you would have to take a bus or go through some metro stations. From four to six is ​​the magical number of Metro de Madrid stops in which it pays to use an electric scooter, with more stops being somewhat less optimal. But as long as we have autonomy and we can plug it in, it can be worth it.
To run quick errands we can use them, but we should go to small places where we pose with the folded skateboard without disturbing other people. Businesses such as small businesses, an office of Post, some hairdresser or restaurant not too fancy, but with space are places where we should let us carry the folded skate. It's just that it's nice to be able to run errands at local businesses that aren't too well located, but end up being worth it.
However, the great determining factor for many is if they let you take it to work. Let's face it: where it is most needed is for the trips that you are going to take almost out of obligation, and if there is no place to leave it during the workday, it is not so convenient for us to have it, hence You understand the rental services by the minute, although they end up being more expensive than owning one. Hence, if someone were to find a way to build a network of car parks in Madrid, whether in buildings, parks or business estates in an economical way (and that costs much less than those for rent) for electric scooter users, it could be done a less controversial benefit than rental services.
Of course, in Madrid there is a small problem for any model of electric scooter: the orography. Although in theory the Villa is on a plateau, it is not the flattest. I live in a neighborhood with many slopes, one locally known as "the slope of death" and that is where a mid-low range scooter can be seen without power and you have to give a little more force with your foot. It also doesn't help that there isn't yet an app with a mobile map that tells me which roads in Madrid I can drive on without breaking the law. and the attitude of many drivers is of zero respect towards those who use these vehicles.
Even so, the impressions of everyone I have given it a try are exceptionally positive. They see it as a potential vehicle that, if adapted to their lifestyle, can change the way many move around cities.
Bottom Line: Ideal for neighborhood errands and jobs with space and open mind
In short, an electric scooter that you own can give you a lot of freedom in Madrid, but there are many issues to solve to make it the most comfortable option. The most important is that there are places where you can leave them for hours to go to work or to spend a lazy afternoon without fear of being stolen. Today it can be used quite well, as long as the law is maintained as it is and the rules are followed, but here is a list of proposals to improve mobility with these devices.
- Secure parking system, either at street lockers or near business and commercial points.
- A map mobile application with tracks for electric scooters.
- Improve the paving of less affluent neighborhoods. Bad asphalt destroys the housings that protect the motors and batteries and these neighborhoods are the ones that would most appreciate being able to use these vehicles.
- Legislation that requires jobs to be able to take it and leave it in employee areas (extendable to any personal mobility vehicle).
- Legislation that understands the use of this vehicle for something productive, not just for entertainment.
- In general, policies that promote VMP as an effective complement to public transport.
As this article was being written, the DGT has announced that it wants to make a regulation. Unlike local laws, this would affect the entire country and normally has validity on local laws. His proposal is based on the fact that it cannot be used on the road, as it could be done in almost all the cities that have regulated in favor of these vehicles, and that they should go on the sidewalk. This is not a big problem, as this vehicle has a lot of versatility to change between curb and road, but they also suggest a license. I don't like to compare, but many electric bikes do not seem to be required to do so. I would not disagree if it were a quick and easy course that you can take in a weekend, as there are still proportionally more fatal cases with cars than with electric scooters and it can help people take it seriously.
I am not against the regulation at all, but you should not go overboard with the conditions or prices for the alleged license they ask for, but I admit that a state regulation can give more uniformity and defense of these vehicles and can mean that more people trust in using them and put the car aside. In many cities these vehicles are a great help to provide mobility without increasing traffic much, in addition to causing less damage to infrastructure. These vehicles can greatly change the way we see the city, showing it as accessible and friendly to those who do not need, do not want or cannot afford a car.
