Fort Myers scooter expansion plan divides downtown business owners

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)— Fort Myers city leaders are considering a major expansion of the Spin scooter program that could put more scooters on the streets, expand where they can be used, and keep them off the streets later at night.

The proposal would double the number of scooters available, expand the riding zone beyond downtown, and keep scooters operating until 2 a.m., rather than the current midnight cutoff. 

Some business owners support expanding the riding area but not longer hours. Tricia Davis, owner of Scoops on First, said she likes the idea of a larger footprint.

"Maybe just keeping them till midnight, but expanding the footprint larger for other businesses that are a little bit outside of the downtown area," Davis said.

Davis said the scooters have become a convenient way to get around. "I love the scooters. If you go to any big cities, they have the scooters, and it's a great time," Davis said.

Others, like Tom Curtin, a Fort Myers resident, said the city should focus on safety, not expansion. "I think they're more of a nuisance than anything else. I think they do more harm than good," Curtin said.

He said adding more scooters would only make those concerns worse. "I think the more the worse, you know, if we could get rid of them, I think it's better. I think that it also helped the safety," Curtin said.

City Council did not take a final vote during Monday's workshop, but the discussion gave leaders a chance to weigh the benefits of expansion against safety concerns.