BROOKLINE, Mass (WBZ NewsRadio) — As public "e-scooters" made their debut Monday, it did not go without a hitch.
There was an accident.
In a video posted by WBZ-TV’s Gary Brode, you can see first responders from Brookline Fire attending to a woman who fell during a demonstration.
It appeared she had cut on her head which also prompted an ambulance to be called.
The Town of Brookline is the first community in the Commonwealth to test shareable electric scooters as part of a 6-month pilot program.
The town is partnering with Lime and Bird who are providing 200 electric scooters, which can be unlocked with an app on a mobile phone and ridden anywhere within their range.
While the benefits of having these two-wheelers are readily apparent—they're convenient and environmentally sound—they're also raising concerns about their impact on the community’s image, as well as safety issues.
“Especially if they are available after bars closed to get people home,” said Paul Worthington “that could be scary.”
The scooters will not be able to function after 9 p.m.
Neither of the two companies are providing helmets — that’s the rider’s responsibility.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kendall Buhl (@KBuhlWBZ) reports.