Irish Taxi Forum
Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: Rat Catcher on August 20, 2021, 11:52:23 am
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https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/16/22627008/spin-electric-scooter-google-maps-integration (https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/16/22627008/spin-electric-scooter-google-maps-integration)
Spin’s electric scooters are coming to Google Maps
The Ford-owned company is the latest to integrate its electric two-wheelers in Google Maps
By Andrew J. Hawkins @andyjayhawk Aug 16, 2021, 12:50pm EDT
Google Maps users will be able to find and rent Spin’s electric scooters after the Ford-owned company announced a new global integration on Tuesday.
Starting Sunday, anyone who uses Google Maps will be able to see the nearest available Spin e-bike or e-scooter in real time, including how long it will take to walk to the vehicle, as well as battery range and expected arrival time.
But to pay for the scooter, unlock it, and take their ride, users will be redirected to Spin’s app. Google Maps users will be able to see Spin’s availability in 84 cities, campuses, and towns in Europe and North America, the company said.
“Our goal is really to make it just as convenient or even more convenient to get around with alternative transit, bikes, buses, scooters, public transportation, as it is to get around with the car,” Spin CEO Ben Bear told The Verge. “And until you’re able to do that, you’re not going to really drive the mode shift that we’re all focused on in the micromobility industry.”
“OUR GOAL IS REALLY TO MAKE IT JUST AS CONVENIENT OR EVEN MORE CONVENIENT TO GET AROUND WITH ALTERNATIVE TRANSIT”
Spin’s scooters will appear on Google Maps when users select the bicycle option after looking up directions to a specific location. They will also appear under the public transportation tab, Bear said.
Spin is the latest e-scooter company to integrate its products into Google Maps. Users have been able to find and rent Lime’s scooters since late 2019. Depending on the city, the popular navigation app also includes available bike-share, public transportation schedules, and fare information for using Uber and Lyft vehicles.
Alphabet — which owns Google — is an investor in Lime, having contributed to a $170 million investment in the scooter company in May 2020. As part of that deal, Lime acquired Uber’s bike and scooter-sharing company, Jump.
The Google Maps integration will help level the playing field for Spin in terms of competition with its rivals, Bear said. “Whichever is the fastest, most convenient option is what’s going to surface first, right?” he said. “So it’s really done in a fair way.”
Spin, which was acquired by Ford for $100 million in 2018, has seen its own shake-ups. Earlier this summer, co-founder and CEO Derrick Ko stepped down to assume a strategic advisor role, while the company’s chief business officer, Ben Bear, became the new CEO. Spin announced plans to add electric bikes to its fleet of shared vehicles, while also expanding to multiple cities in the US and Europe.
Possibly spurring all this activity was a report that Ford was considering divesting itself from Spin, or perhaps merging the scooter sharing firm with a special purpose acquisition company, also known as a SPAC.
A spokesperson for Ford declined to comment on Bloomberg’s report regarding divestment, but since its publication, the automaker’s top executives have expressed confidence in Spin’s business.
“I’m excited about all we’ve accomplished under the leadership of Derrick, Zaizhuang, and Euwyn to advance micromobility solutions in our cities and as a capability for Ford,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a recent statement. “They’ve built a terrific business, and we look forward to continued progress under Ben, who is strongly positioned to grow Spin and give more people the freedom to move and pursue their dreams.”
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we look forward to continued progress under Ben, who is strongly positioned to grow Spin and give more people the freedom to move and pursue their dreams.”
Pursue their dreams......on a fukin e-scooter?
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This should be fun..................................... ::fuck ::fuck ::fuck
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Reminds me of the Jimmy Rabbitte Sn line....."god sent him......on a fukin Suzuki!!"
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Will Ireland join the 21st century and legalise the scooters?
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Will Ireland join the 21st century and legalise the scooters?
There's plenty of places where they are illegal unless you have a licence,insurance helmet etc.
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They're dangerous....effectively a mechanically propelled pedestrian.
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If I didn't drive for reward sometimes I'd love them.
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They're dangerous....effectively a mechanically propelled pedestrian.
Driven by punters that a lot of them have no idea how to control a mechanically/motor driven machine and haven't an iota of an idea about the rules of the road.
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Scooters are the future .....legislation hasn't caut up wit ....sorry to break it to ya but I can see a time wen 1 ape in a taxi will be illegal unless its a cripple , a tardy or frankie drivin a dedder to
God's departure lounge O:-)
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They should be banned.
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Hard to conclude they're particularly dangerous without any data. I doubt they're as dangerous as motorcars and they're definitely less dangerous than motorcycles - which are responsible for 11.5% of road deaths yet only account for 1.4% of vehicles on the road. If a trial of eScooters exceeded those (adjusted) ratios one could conclude they are excessively dangerous, I guess. It might make sense to restrict use of eScooters and motorcycles to dedicated lanes and reduce the speed limit on all roads facilitating such lanes to 30 kilos/hour.
On the other hand, folk have to be allowed take risks within reason in a free society. Obviously, if Govt went for a zero risk policy we'd all be confined to our beds and fed by tubes or something. The - seemingly very high - risk attached to operating a motorcycle could be the eventual benchmark, I guess.
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Hard to conclude they're particularly dangerous without any data. I doubt they're as dangerous as motorcars and they're definitely less dangerous than motorcycles - which are responsible for 11.5% of road deaths yet only account for 1.4% of vehicles on the road. If a trial of eScooters exceeded those (adjusted) ratios one could conclude they are excessively dangerous, I guess. It might make sense to restrict use of eScooters and motorcycles to dedicated lanes and reduce the speed limit on all roads facilitating such lanes to 30 kilos/hour.
On the other hand, folk have to be allowed take risks within reason in a free society. Obviously, if Govt went for a zero risk policy we'd all be confined to our beds and fed by tubes or something. The - seemingly very high - risk attached to operating a motorcycle could be the eventual benchmark, I guess.
I think most motor bike drivers had/have the kop to learn how to go on one before hitting the open road where the scooter driver will automatically think he/she can do it on the Malahide Rd straight from being a pedestrian,that's the difference.
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A trial - I believe there's one being conducted in DCU - ought to establish whether any instruction/licensing may help keep the death rate within acceptable limits and, obviously, that could be kept under review as time progresses and more data becomes available. Speed is undoubtedly a factor in our huge motorcycle death rate. It's unlikely that eScooters would reach the same limits in that regard. Given the data we have it's impossible to argue that our current motorcycle licensing system is working. I guess there's many factors at play there. Enforcement or, more accurately, lack thereof being an important one. I wonder how many of the kids on scrambler type bikes that I frequently encounter around the north Dublin suburbs are appropriately trained, licensed and insured, for example.
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Like everything they'll legalise the slow scooters and people will buy the high powered scooters on the net.There's one bloke that passes through my area on the really quick leccy scooters and I nearly wiped him out in the car.The thing was doing at least 50km but it's silent so I misjudged his speed....actually I didn't even see him before it was too late.I believe they can go much quicker.
I find myself looking twice now to cross the street.Even the slow scooters aren't that slow if you get a bang of one.Kids seem to like using them on the footpaths because the parents won't allow them on the road.
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The problem is they're treated as pedestrians and other insured road users seem to be more culpable in the event of an accident....he who is insured...pays!!
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A trial - I believe there's one being conducted in DCU - ought to establish whether any instruction/licensing may help keep the death rate within acceptable limits and, obviously, that could be kept under review as time progresses and more data becomes available. Speed is undoubtedly a factor in our huge motorcycle death rate. It's unlikely that eScooters would reach the same limits in that regard. Given the data we have it's impossible to argue that our current motorcycle licensing system is working. I guess there's many factors at play there. Enforcement or, more accurately, lack thereof being an important one. I wonder how many of the kids on scrambler type bikes that I frequently encounter around the north Dublin suburbs are appropriately trained, licensed and insured, for example.
I wouldn't be comparing the general public with scrotes on scramblers in Tallaght/Darndale,but I suppose the proof of the pudding and all that...
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Scotland's take on them https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/e-scooters-are-they-legal-and-why-are-there-so-many-now/ (https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/e-scooters-are-they-legal-and-why-are-there-so-many-now/)
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As evidenced by the scramblers, legislation is of limited use when coupled with a zero enforcement regime. The task for eScooters ought to be to deliver a lower death rate than motorcycles. Obviouisly there are several options from a legislative point of view to keep deaths within those acceptable limits. Reducing speed limits on roads on which they are legally allowed operate would be the obvious starting point, I guess. No reason that approach couldn't be extended to all categories of motorcycles as well... if it were I daresay overall road deaths would reduce considerably, possibly resulting in a lowered perception of what rate is acceptable.
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I think capping the speed limiter on them to about 10-12KMH would be a huge plus,some of them over here going about 3 times that atm.
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Surely there should be some degree of responsibility on the scooter drivers, like some basic knowledge of the rules of the road that they use. Is it too much to ask that they should at the very minimum have front and back lights while travelling by night.
I drive 2 tons of steel within a safety cage with multiple airbags, the e-scooter driver has about 10 pounds of steel and maybe a helmet.
I don't want to kill an E-scooter driver but if I can't see them on the road by night then it just might happen.
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https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/ghostbikesCan (https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/ghostbikesCan) we set up one for E-Diots? 8)
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All road users have to obey the rules of the road, Ken. The basics are taught in schools. I guess firms like Free Now will argue that allowing them control usage with no private ownership allowed would ensure all vehicles are fitted with lights/bells/hemets/etc...
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Where would ye be goin without a bell on yer e-bike/scooter anyway?
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Surely there should be some degree of responsibility on the scooter drivers, like some basic knowledge of the rules of the road that they use. Is it too much to ask that they should at the very minimum have front and back lights while travelling by night.
I drive 2 tons of steel within a safety cage with multiple airbags, the e-scooter driver has about 10 pounds of steel and maybe a helmet.
I don't want to kill an E-scooter driver but if I can't see them on the road by night then it just might happen.
They're supposed to be limited to 29 kph to avoid having to be designated as motorized vehicles. E-scooters and and e-bikes are finally to be regulated on Irish roads, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said.
He said on Monday the Government had given approval to draft new legislation in this area.
The plan is for a new vehicle category, powered personal transporters, which will be legal to use in public but within a new safety framework.
Announcing the development, Mr Ryan said tax, insurance and driving licences will not be required for the use of e-scooters.
Further rules on exactly where and how they can be used will all be included in the forthcoming Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
The law will also differentiate e-bikes, depending on their size. The Minister said that while they will be treated “mainly in the same way” as normal bicycles, more powerful models would be considered akin to light mopeds.
“E-scooters have become an increasingly popular form of personal mobility in a short period of time,” Mr Ryan said.
“However, these devices are not legal under current Irish road-traffic law. I am implementing the commitment in the programme for government to regulate their use . . . so that they can be used in a safe manner.”
Once introduced the laws will bring Ireland up to speed with many other European countries as the number of people opting for the electric devices grows. It is not clear how long it will take for the legislation to come into being.
Safety measures
Dutch company Dott, an e-scooter service operator in 16 cities, has recently called on the Government to consider various safety measures once legislation is being put in place.
It has recommended a minimum age of 16 years; compulsory helmets for those aged between 16 and 18; an upper speed limit of 25km/h; a ban on footpath use; and consideration of comprehensive insurance provided by companies operating rental schemes.
Dott is not alone in its anticipation of forthcoming laws – Ireland is in the sights of several international scooter rental companies awaiting a regulatory opening. Sweden’s Voi and Berlin-based Tier are both believed to be waiting to roll out services.
Many will see the legislation as catching up with a shift in consumer demand, both recreational and commuter. Last October, the retailer Halfords reported a sevenfold increase in the sale of scooters across 24 stores over a two-month period.
The actual speeds after they're chipped is much higher:
Results below are based on our independent performance testing and not data provided by the manufacturer.
Rank Scooter Top Speed Source
1 Rion RE90 121 kmh Alien Rides
2 Minimotors Dualtron X2 96 kmh Raptor TV
3 Kaabo Wolf King 95.6 kmh ESG GPS
4 NAMI Burn-E 94.7 kmh ESG GPS
5 WEPED SS 90 kmh 505 PRO KOREA
6 Turbowheel Phaeton 87 kmh Various
7 Minimotors Dualtron Thunder 80.5 kmh Lightning Thunder
8 Apollo Phantom Ludicrous 77.6 kmh ESG GPS
9 Currus Panther 76.5 kmh ESG GPS
10 Kaabo Wolf Warrior 11 72.5 kmh ESG GPS
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Makes sense... although I think the Minister should quantify acceptable road death rates in advance... or at least state that further review of restrictions and speed limits on relevant roads should automatically be undertaken if any new category of vehicle exceeds road deaths attributable to motorcycles over any 18 month period.
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so that they can be used in a safe manner.”
Get real Snoozy Eamo!!