Scooters in Miami: They’re a Keeper

Scooters in Miami: They’re a Keeper

Sep 05, 2019 September 05, 2019

In April, the City of Miami launched an electric scooter program that allows folks like me and you to grab any rental scooter they see on the road, unlock it with their app, and for about half the cost of an Uber or Lyft, scoot around town. 

In my ripe old age of 42, I like to use things only if I truly find them useful, as opposed to doing it just to do it. But, these scooters really are practical and useful, especially for around-the-neighborhood tasks (like showing properties! :)). 

While I was riding, I had so many thoughts about the pros and cons of using a scooter to get around town. I hope you find them useful too!

Bird Scooters

Cover photo courtesy of Bird

Scooters are a Faster Way to Feel Connected to the City

I am always in my car and tend to have my “blinders” on. Cars are just not a great way to connect to the city in a positive way. Walking or riding past people is when you can get a real sense of who your neighbors and city visitors are, you can envision how the newest construction projects might change the neighborhood, and get a feel of how well the city is maintaining the sidewalks for pedestrians and scooter-folk.

Scooters are Great for the Environment, Great for Traffic

These are the plug-in electric scooters, so there are no fumes for minimal impact on the environment. Also, every scooter that is on the road is likely helping have less cars, so they aid in the reduction of traffic. I have showings sometimes 10-12 blocks away. And, I would dare not walk that far in the middle of a hot Miami summer, but I would either grab an Uber or drive myself. Now, with scooters as an option, I am happy to hop on and ride.

Jump by Uber

Photo courtesy of Jump by Uber

Scooters Awaken Your Curiosity and Help You Explore The City

Scooting around town, as opposed to driving, also awakens your curiosity because it’s pretty easy to just stop by a new store, drop in, and then hop back on and keep riding. When you zoom past the same store in a car, you might not even notice it, and if you do so, it’s rarely worth the chore of turning around, finding a parking space, etc. Also, how many times have you driven by an event, wondering what it was all about? With a scooter, you don’t have to wonder anymore... because it’s that easy to explore!

Scooters are Conveniently Everywhere

Scooter Map - Electric Scooters

If you are in any of the central neighborhoods of Miami, you can find a scooter usually within a block or two of wherever you are. The biggest challenge is that each scooter company (Bolt, Lyft, Jump (by Uber), Bird, Lime and Spin) has its own app. So, if you want to track down a scooter that is not within sight, it becomes kind of burdensome. I recently found an app (haven’t used it yet) called Scooter Map that can give you the location of a few scooter brands all at the same time, which can be highly convenient. Within each brand’s scooter app, you can also reserve a scooter, so you know that when you finally get to it, it’s not already taken.

It Can Get Hot on a Scooter, But Not as Hot as Walking!

I started using scooters often, right as the hottest part of the summer rolled around. And, though it can get pretty hot riding 10-15 blocks on a scooter, it is even more hot walking! So, scooters are a big bonus if you don’t have a car, or are in exploration mode.

Lots More Scooter Accidents, Of Course

I read an article the other day that said that scooter accidents were rapidly on the rise. Duh! Scooters have become a big thing around many major cities, so it just makes sense if there are more scooters and more people riding them that there will be more scooter accidents. That said, I ride very carefully, am very cautious of sidewalks, pedestrians and cars, and I don’t usually push maximum speed.

Spin Scooters - Safety First!

Remember to be safe and to respect the surrounding community. Photo courtesy of Spin


Scooters Give You Freedom in More Ways Than One

The beauty about these Miami area scooter rentals is that you don’t own them, and you are minimally responsible for them. So, you can hope off and wipe your hands clean of them without worrying if someone is going to steal them. You don’t have such a privilege with a bike. Technically, you could buy your own electric scooter for between $200 and $1000, but then you would have to worry . . . and also remember to plug in to recharge the battery . . . and maintain it . . . and . . . and . . . and… 

Alternatives for City-Friendly, Non-Car Options to Scooters If It’s Not Your Gig

If you don’t like scooters, you have alternative forms of convenient transportation to get around too:

  1. Trolley. The City of Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, all have a free trolley system. Here is a link to the City of Miami’s Trolly Tracker.
  2. CitiBike. There are also plenty of bike stations all over the City of Miami. Here is a station map

CitiBike

Conclusion: Scooters Are a Net Positive for Cities in General (including Miami) in So Many Ways

Environmentally friendly, traffic-busting, and faster-than-walking, electric scooters are a big win for Miami residents and tourists. As a real estate broker, I am a big fan, and expect to pass by my colleagues on the way to showings on the regular. Give me a shout-out in the comments below, if you agree!



Cover photo courtesy of Bird
Contact Us
Sep Niakan
Broker / Team Lead
(305) 697-7667
sep@blackbookproperties.com
Request Info
By sending you agree to CondoBlackBook's Terms of Use

Your Miami Condo Awaits

Recent Posts

The Residences at 1428 Brickell Video Tour: Exquisite, Eco-conscious Living with Italian Luxury
Video Blog The Residences at 1428 Brickell Video Tour: Exquisite, Eco-conscious Living with Italian Luxury
Brickell, the Wall Street of the South, one of the most desirable Miami neighborhoods for international business professionals and families alike, is synonymous with innovation, a luxury lifestyle and original ideas. This time, the Brickell spirit is embodied in the fantastic new pre construction condominium — The Residences at 1428 Brickell.  In our latest video, Stephanie Bienstock, our director of Luxury Sales, visited the newly opened sales gallery to talk with Jennifer Behar Cervera about what makes The Residences at 1428 Brickell unlike any new residential development coming to Brickell, Miami. Join us as we learn about the project’s six driving forces — detail, craftsmanship, architecture, nature, privacy, and innovation — and tour the sales gallery to see all the finishes and details up close.     — What You Can Expect at The Residences at 1428 Brickell, Miami  If you care about the environment and love leaning into Italian design, then the first-ever solar-powered...
February 2024: Miami New Development and Pre-Construction Condo Update
Real Estate News February 2024: Miami New Development and Pre-Construction Condo Update
Miami’s pre-construction market buzzed in February with many newsworthy events throughout the city. The much-awaited Bentley Residences, Cipriani Residences, and Indian Creek Residences and Yacht Club all broke ground this month. And Brickell’s Mercedes-Benz Places, Key Biscayne’s Key Cassa, and Sunny Isles’ St. Regis' second tower launched sales.  Also, developers accelerated construction efforts for several luxury condo projects including Una Residences, 501 First, St. Regis Brickell, and more. Read on for details on these and more exciting updates in our monthly Miami pre-construction condo market roundup for February 2024: Launched Sales Mercedes-Benz Places – Brickell St. Regis Residences (North Tower) – Sunny Isles Beach Key Cassa – Key Biscayne New Sales Gallery Bay Harbor Towers – Bay Harbor Islands Broke Ground Cipriani Residences – Brickell Indian Creek Residences and Yacht Club – Bay Harbor Islands Bentley Residences – Sunny Isles...
February 2024: Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach Pre-Construction Condo News Update
Real Estate News February 2024: Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach Pre-Construction Condo News Update
South Florida's pre-construction market continues to stay hot with five new condo projects launching sales this February. Newgard’s Natiivo, Stephen Ross’ Shorecrest, and Sympatico’s Mr. C Hotel and Residences are a few of the announcements that made headlines this month in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. Further, given the demand for luxury housing in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas, luxury apartment towers Circ Residences and Havn Residences & Yacht Club converted to condos, offering the first few buyers unique benefits. Read below to find details on these and more projects in our February 2024 pre-construction condo market round-up for Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach: — February 2024 – Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach Condo Pre-Construction Market at a Glance Sales Launched Natiivo Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale Shorecrest – West Palm Beach Mr. C Hotel & Residences – West Palm Beach Glass House – Boca Raton Havn Residences & Yacht Club (Renovated) –...
Oceanfront Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Sunny Isles Penthouse Video Tour
Real Estate News Oceanfront Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Sunny Isles Penthouse Video Tour
Living at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, a global collection of branded condo homes known for their unparalleled service and elegance, offers you the epitome of a luxury-driven lifestyle. And even more so at their prestigious Sunny Isles Beach location, where pristine water views offer serenity in almost every direction. In our latest video, Stephanie Bienstock, our Luxury Real Estate Specialist, takes us on a tour of one of her client’s turnkey penthouses. Come take a look!     Perched on the 48th floor, this exquisite beachfront penthouse residence is an exclusive sanctuary of comfort. Upon arrival, a private elevator whisks you directly into your foyer, an entrance that sets the tone for the rest of the home. Spanning an impressive 2,200 square feet, every inch of this Ritz-Carlton Residences Sunny Isles penthouse has been crafted for an unrivaled living experience, tastefully decorated with a sophisticated color palette and high-end furniture.  Once inside, the open floor plan...
Condo Painting Dos and Don’ts
Opinions and Advice Condo Painting Dos and Don’ts
Painting your home can be a daunting prospect, from the color selection to cleaning up the mess. After all, it is a complex procedure — who knew there were 52 shades of white?!—, and whatever color you do end up choosing will dictate the mood and feel of your entire condo or home, so no pressure! However, when done right, a good paint job is a relatively easy way to renovate your condo and give it a well-needed facelift before selling it, renting it out, or enjoying living there. So, grab your paint color samples, and let’s discuss some condo painting ideas to get your property in tip-top shape. — What Color Should You Paint Each Room? At the end of the day, you should paint your house in whatever color floats your boat! You have to live there, after all. That being said, there are definitely good and bad paint colors, depending on your needs and purpose. The colors and combinations you choose will ultimately have an impact on the look, and more importantly, the feel of your...
New Mercedes-Benz Places Comes to Brickell, Miami
Real Estate News New Mercedes-Benz Places Comes to Brickell, Miami
What do Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, and now Mercedes-Benz have in common? They all have luxury condo projects in Miami! And that means you can also call this newly announced Mercedes-Benz Places home.  Announcing its first branded residential project in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz will now have a “towering” presence in Miami. After the successful debut of the Porsche Design Tower, near-complete Aston Martin Residences, and under-construction Bentley Residences, one of the world's oldest carmakers is gearing up to elevate condo living in Brickell with Mercedes-Benz Places. Developed by JDS Development Group, the company behind Echo Brickell, Monad Terrace, and 888 Brickell by Dolce and Gabbana, Mercedes-Benz Places will offer 791 luxurious residences set in a 67-story high-rise. Located at 191 S.W. 12th St., the mixed-use tower will also deliver 200,000 square feet of office/health and fitness facilities plus a 174-key Treehouse Hotel. Adding to the future-ready appeal of the...