City permits scooters for Market
Aug. 22—HIGH POINT — High Point Market guests will have a new way to get around the downtown showroom district at this fall's trade show.
The City Council last week adopted an ordinance allowing electric scooters in the market district starting seven days before the Oct. 16 official opening of the event. The devices will be restricted to a defined area where most of the showrooms are located, and would have to cease operations at the close of fall Market on Oct. 20.
"This is something we've had requests for from market guests," said Tammy Nagem, chief operating officer of the High Point Market Authority, which asked the city to permit the use of scooters. "As you all know, our greatest strength and our greatest weakness for this Market is, we're 13 blocks wide. So, while we do provide a pretty extensive transportation system, on beautiful days, there's nothing better than moving about the streets, and this would give an additional guest service for our marketgoers."
Electric scooters are not allowed in other parts of the city or in the downtown district outside of Market dates.
Some cities, including Greensboro, have adopted ordinances that allow them in their downtowns.
"It's kind of a pilot program," said City Attorney JoAnne Carlyle. "If it doesn't work out, then we'll come back and consider either amending it or rescinding it."
Nagem said the market authority is working with a vendor who will provide 50 of the scooters for fall Market.
"They'll be paid for by the market guests," she said. "They'll scan their credit card on a QR code, and when they get close to the boundaries, they'll begin to beep and get slower. So they'll be notified that they're coming to the edge of that."
Nagem said her agency is working with the city and the vendor to establish procedures regarding whether scooters can be used on streets or sidewalks.
"There are concerns with both, but also making sure our guests are educated about where to ride. We're looking at 12 mph maximum (speed)," she said.
The vendor will be responsible for collecting and charging the scooters each night during Market.
"This is just an extension of our guest service for folks coming to High Point, and we'll see how it goes," Nagem said.
pkimbrough@hpenews.com — 336-888-3531
