Goleta bans electric scooters popularized by Bird, Lime

First it was Santa Barbara and now, the City of Goleta has banned the popular electric scooters that have lined up sidewalks in Old Town Goleta and residential neighborhoods for the last few months.

People packed the Goleta City Council meeting on Tuesday and patiently waited for the scooter issue to be discussed.

Dozens of people commented for against the shared on-demand scooters that have sparked controversy in many communities around California.

Critics said they didn’t like the way they are left around town. Supporters said they are needed to reduce vehicle traffic.

After about two hours of debate, Goleta City Council members voted unanimously to temporarily prohibit on demand motorized scooters.

On Wednesday, Goleta Public Works Department workers spent the day picking up any motorized scooters they could find.

City officials ask anyone who sees these scooters in the public right of way call 805-968-6843 or use their online city assist program at here.

The Bird and Lime motorized scooter companies launched in Isla Vista earlier in the year and quickly became a hit with college students and other young adults.