HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Electric scooters may soon be banned from Downtown, Midtown, and East Downtown Houston.
On Thursday, a Houston City Council Committee will review the proposed ban.
In a statement shared with ABC13, Mayor John Whitmire wrote:
“I am responding to the economic and public safety concerns raised by several stakeholders, including Police Chief Diaz, the Discovery Green Conservancy, area hotels, restaurants, convention attendees, and Theater District customers.
The majority of individuals using scooters in the area are not Houstonians, but instead come here for joyriding, rather than using them for school or work. Many scooter users disregard traffic laws, putting themselves and others at risk. The Quality of Life meeting scheduled on Thursday is part of the process, and I welcome public feedback.”
SEE MORE: Houston attorney weighs in on legalities of riding an e-scooter after deadly incident in downtown
Adib Baghdadi, owner of ERYD Scooter Rentals, told ABC13 that they “will be losing everything” if the ban passes.
Baghdadi runs several scooter shops in and around Downtown. He told ABC13 he has 20 employees and spends 10s of thousands of dollars each month on operating expenses.
“I think it’s really like killing the whole industry, and it’s just basically causing so many people to go unemployed or bankrupt,” he said.
In a petition, the owner of scooter rental shop GLYDERZ wrote, “I have personally witnessed how e-scooters have transformed the way people navigate Downtown Houston. These scooters offer an eco-friendly, efficient, and affordable mode of transport, vital to many residents and visitors who seek an alternative to traditional vehicles. My business works tirelessly to ensure we adhere to all established laws and regulations, promoting a safe and enjoyable scooter experience for everyone.”
Baghdadi said he believes the city should focus on bad actor scooter rental shops and riders, rather than implementing a ban.
According to city data, a scooter safety task force issued hundreds of warnings to riders and dozens to vendors in 2025.
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