Overview
In some cities, electric scooters are becoming the hot new trend. Companies such as Lime and Bird allow people to conveniently rent scooters, providing easy, green transportation. But some politicians want to ban the scooters, claiming they are dangerous. Supporters point out that cars and bicycles are dangerous, too. This video takes a closer look at scooter sharing services and examines risks and rewards of this new trend.

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Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Science / Technology and Health / Phys. Ed
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• discuss the pros and cons of the electric scooters;
• explain arguments used by the scooter sharing services and their opponents; and
• evaluate the arguments for and against prohibiting scooter sharing services.

Key concepts and terms covered
Green transportation and Sharing economy.

Sample discussion questions
• Do electric scooter sharing services solve any problems? If yes, what problems do they solve? If no, why don’t they?
• John Stossel said that “whenever there’s something new, the media always hype the problems.” Is he right? What are some other examples of this? Why?
• Lime and Bird are two examples of companies that are part of the sharing economy. What are some other examples? Have you ever used any companies involved in the sharing economy? If so, which one(s)? How was your experience?
• San Francisco granted permits operate electric scooter sharing services to two companies, but not Lime and Bird. Is that fair? Should the government pick and choose which companies can operate within their community and which companies can’t? If so, on what basis should they make that decision?
• If you had the opportunity, would you use the scooters? Why / Why not?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 6-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.