Note that electric bikes/scooters get approximately zero consideration from cars. I was traveling in a bike lane last year and a truck just turned right into me. I easily could have died if not for my helmet. (Which received a glowing 5-star review for that performance, btw.)
The tech itself is sound but there appears to be some unresolved issues around sound ridership practices that could be addressed. E-scooters were introduced locally a few years ago by a couple of rental ap companies and attitudes of local drivers have shifted to naked hostility in response to users flagrant disregard for both traffic laws and common sense. Understand I make no effort to excuse the behavior of motorists which varies on a spectrum from negligent to actively homicidal depending on how badly traffic is being impeded. The reality of the situation is pretty resistant to high-minded ideals however and choosing these modes of transportation in many metro areas is intentionally putting yourself at risk.
In my jurisdiction it's literally illegal to make a right turn without ensuring the bike lane is entirely clear. Not to say that legality has ever dictated driver behavior, but what happened definitely wasn't just me impeding traffic.
Allow me to stress my total lack of support for motorist behavior. I rode a liter bike for a number of years and got so inured to motorist-induced near-death experiences that I wouldn't even comment to my coworkers on the days only a single driver tried to kill me on either my morning commute or when I left the office for lunch. I get it, but getting it doesn't change attitudes, aptitude, or attentiveness of the other folks on the road that have a weight advantage measured in tons. Full Disclosure: I loathe cyclists on the road. I find the act of intentionally putting oneself at risk for the privilege of presenting an impediment to normal traffic just insufferably self-absorbed and a troll of the first order. That said I give a full lane when passing or slow to match speed at a safe follow distance if passing isn't a safe option. Just because I find it to be nuisance behavior isn't grounds to hassle or threaten anyone, the roadway is a public resource after all.
This is weird. What am I supposed to do, ride my electric scooter on the sidewalk? It has a top speed of 45mph.
I obey traffic lights just like everyone else, I don't just get in front of people randomly. Though of course, that doesn't stop people from deciding to shove the side of their vehicle into me.
I feel like if you are arguing the same side, it's really hard for to tell since you also talk about how cyclists are trolling you by choosing to impede traffic instead of just getting a car. But otherwise yeah, scooter clearly has risks.
