Houston Quality of Life Committee Meeting on Motorized Scooters - July 24, 2025

On July 24, 2025, the Quality of Life Committee, chaired by Councilmember Julian Ramirez, convened at 10 a.m. to discuss public safety concerns related to motorized scooters. The administration proposed an ordinance to create a scooter-free zone in downtown, East Downtown, and parts of Midtown. The committee heard a presentation from the Administration and Regulatory Affairs (ARA) department and the Houston Police Department (HPD), followed by extensive public testimony. Housing items on the agenda were postponed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Todd Holliman (Houston First Corporation): Expressed strong support for the proposed ban, citing daily safety hazards including excessive speeds, sidewalk riding, and disregard for rules on the convention campus. Described scooters as a "public safety crisis."
• Rachel Hooper (Downtown resident): Urged an outright ban, stating that downtown Houston has an F crime grade and that the scooter problem has made living conditions unbearable.
• Sid Vinyard (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, arguing that HPD cannot enforce further restrictions and that illegal pop-ups continue. Provided photos of large three-wheel scooters on sidewalks.
• Ed Pettit (Scooter user): Opposed a blanket ban, advocating for a regulated program with geofencing, speed caps, and curfews, citing successful examples in Atlanta.
• Juan Valentin (Scooter rental business owner): Opposed the ban, emphasizing that legal vendors follow rules and that illegal vendors are the real problem. Asked for regulation instead.
• Lucy Ortiz Montes (Swerve Scooter Rentals): Opposed the ban, proposed alternatives such as limiting hours, speed limits, and permitting systems. Stated that her business follows all ordinances.
• Don Hooper (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, describing an incident where a 15-year-old on a scooter shot his neighbor. Called for a ban and high permit fees.
• Emilio Montes (Swerve Scooter Rentals): Opposed the ban, stating it would devastate his family business. Welcomed stronger regulation but not a full ban.
• Ashnel Delice: Opposed the ban, claiming the presentation data was inaccurate and that geofencing technology can address safety concerns. Stated that 53% accident figure was misrepresented.
• Catherine Lott (President, Discovery Green): Strongly supported the ban, reporting six gun violence incidents on park property, $150,000 in lawn damage, $200,000 in annual security costs, and an inability to control scooter gangs. Urged immediate action.
• Kevin Cantrell (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, recounting a friend who was shot for telling scooter riders to stay off sidewalks. Said he no longer feels safe taking his grandchildren to Discovery Green.
• Claude John Memaj (Scooter business owner): Opposed the ban, advocating for speed limits, helmet requirements, and education programs. Argued that banning would just move the problem elsewhere.
• Telly Manos (Commuter): Opposed the ban, stating he uses an e-scooter to commute from the Heights. Asked the council to distinguish between joy riders and commuters.
• Craig Howard (Ballroom at Bayou Place & Greater Houston Restaurant Association): Supported the ban, describing near-misses and an incident where a scooter hit a four-year-old. Said restaurants and hotels are losing business.
• Tom Segesta (Hotel manager, Marriott Marquee): Supported the ban, detailing lost guests, noise complaints, and the need to hire off-duty police. Estimated millions in lost tax dollars.
• Stephanie Haynes (Hotel Lodging Association of Greater Houston): Supported the ban, reporting that hotel guests feel unsafe and that scooter riders become aggressive when asked to leave.
• Eli Davis (Lime): Opposed the ban, asked for a pause to allow a permitted city program. Said Lime uses ID verification and can ban riders who break rules.
• Matthew Festa (Law professor): Supported the ban, citing growing disorder in downtown that threatens law students and the city's future.
• Austin Spademan (Bird): Opposed the ban, advocated for a regulated framework similar to Dallas. Noted that Bird operates only in cities with permits and can enforce rules.
• Richard Paulson (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, describing being knocked down, forced off sidewalks, and having objects thrown at him.
• Janet Lyon (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, stating her dog was targeted and she was pinned by a scooter. Called for a ban with a carve-out for commuters.
• Wendy Mason (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, recounting a collision that cost her $2,700 in car repairs.
• Kirsten Berger (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, citing scooter gangs and the inability to walk outside after dark.
• Jared Frank (Scooter user): Opposed the ban, arguing that similar logic would ban cars. Suggested speed limits and enforcement.
• Robert Grobe (East Downtown resident): Opposed the ban, calling it a reactionary measure. Said scooters provide affordable transportation and allow young people and visitors to enjoy the city.
• John Benoit (Eride Scooter Rentals): Opposed the ban, presented a binder with data showing only 0.009% of trips result in accidents. Stated that his business and other brick-and-mortar vendors have zero citations.
• Stephen Gurner (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, describing a slide into lawlessness and urging immediate action to "stop the bleeding."
• Tim Rowan (Hotel manager, Marriott Marquee): Supported the ban, noting that group guests choose other cities due to scooter issues.
• Mysom Pervez (Bolt Scooters): Opposed the ban, citing 205% growth in ridership with a 0.009% accident rate. Noted that his business had zero citations and called for enforcement against illegal vendors.
• Karen Vasogi (Bolt Scooters): Opposed the ban, highlighting that his storefront business generates $28 million in local spending and $1.1 million in sales tax. Welcomed audits.
• Abid Baghdadi (E-Ride Scooter Rental): Opposed the ban, offered to implement geofencing and face-scanning technology. Called for investment in bike lanes and targeted enforcement.
• Steven Kionis (Scooter business owner): Opposed the ban, argued that illegal vendors are the problem and that police often ignore them. Invited council to see the area.
• Ashley Rubio (iRide HTX): Opposed the ban, stated that her business follows HPD rules and that illegal vendors have ruined the reputation of legitimate operators.
• Mohammed Oduk (Star Scooter Rentals): Opposed the ban, claimed a petition with over 1,400 signatures against the ban was collected in 48 hours.
• Cindy (Downtown resident): Supported the ban, invited council members to her apartment for a firsthand view.
• Several additional speakers (unidentified): Expressed support or opposition, generally aligning with the above themes.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by ARA and HPD: Maria Ursha (ARA Deputy Director) and Captain Melissa Countryman (HPD) presented on the history of scooter regulation, enforcement from 2021-2025, and current challenges. Key data: scooter accidents increased 600% since 2021, with four fatalities. In 2025, a scooter task force issued over 330 rider warnings, 13 vendor citations, and seized 129 scooters. 53% of accidents occur in downtown and surrounding areas. Comparison with other Texas cities showed that regulated cities (Austin, Dallas, San Antonio) have permitted frameworks. The administration recommended creating a scooter-free zone in the Central Business District, East Downtown, and portions of Midtown, citing Texas Transportation Code authority to ban for public safety. Three options were presented: ban, permit program, or status quo.
• Councilmember Questions and Comments:
  • Chair Ramirez: Asked about current ordinance enforcement, noting that sidewalk riding is already illegal. HPD acknowledged enforcement challenges. Ramirez questioned the impact on commuters and suggested possible time-based restrictions.
  • Councilmember Kamen: Expressed interest in a regulated framework rather than a blanket ban. Asked for comparative cyclist and vehicular accident data. Questioned whether a city contract could bring revenue (noted Austin generates $1 million). Raised concern that a ban would push the problem to other districts.
  • Councilmember Alcorn: Supported the idea of a clean start via a ban but asked if a regulated framework could follow. Noted that ATVs and slingshots are already illegal.
  • Councilmember Martinez (online): Supported regulation over a ban, citing the need to address underage riders, curfews, and speed governors. Emphasized that most problems are from recreational joy riders, not commuters.
  • Councilmember Flickinger: Asked about enforcement statistics and the feasibility of regulating speed through technology. Noted that dockless operators can impose speed limits.
  • Councilmember Carter: Voiced concern about lawlessness near Discovery Green and the impact on conventions. Shared a personal story of a child death from a scooter accident. Anxious to hear public comment.
  • Staff for Councilmember Evans-Shabazz: Asked about manpower required to enforce a ban and potential dilution of resources from other high-nightlife areas. HPD responded that enforcement approach would be contingent on final decision.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote was taken during this committee meeting. The chair indicated that discussions will continue over the following weeks.
• Housing items were postponed and not heard at this meeting.
• The committee heard extensive public testimony from 39 registered speakers and additional unregistered speakers, capturing a wide range of views.
• The administration's proposed ordinance to create a scooter-free zone remains under consideration, with potential amendments based on feedback from council members and the public.
• Next steps: The chair (Councilmember Ramirez) encouraged stakeholders to contact his office. The issue is expected to return to the full City Council for a vote at a later date.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:52 p.m.