Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Portland Transportation Bureau Retracts Tweet Calling Electric Scooters “Toys” for “Tech Bros”

Photo: Lime Bike

Portland transportation officials were red-faced this week after an unnamed staffer disparaged e-scooters as "toys" for lazy "tech bros" just as the city's pilot scooter program went live.

The unidentified official took to the Portland Bureau of Transportation's Twitter account after a resident complained the city should be doing more to promote scooters to help achieve climate goals.

Or maybe they’re toys that tech bros leave lazily strewn about, blocking corner ramps needed for people with disabilities. Also, people need to know the helmet laws for scooters are different than for bicycles. We’ll see how it goes during this pilot period!

— Portland Bureau of Transportation (@PBOTinfo) July 26, 2018

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The agency, which began its program with e-scooters from Skip, Limebike and Bird this week, quickly apologized for the Tweet, sayingit "does not represent the views of our bureau."

"We’re excited to welcome scooters as a new transportation option into our city and to see what we can learn from this pilot," the account added.

But as many aggravated Twitter users pointed out yesterday in response to PBOT, cars are killing people by the hundreds across the U.S. with no backlash. Cities do have to be on alert for parking problems that could create accessibility challenges in cities. But the safety concerns, compared to traveling through densely populated cities in cars and trucks, seem minor.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Breaking: Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Cyclist in Brooklyn

A 32-year-old woman was killed by the driver of a Tesla early on Saturday morning in Brooklyn, police said.

September 27, 2025

Opinion: Jim McGreevey Plots Comeback, But NJ Voters Have Better Options

Why do some politicians think they can recycle the politics of the past and continue to ignore the carnage on our streets?

September 26, 2025

Friday Video: How Car Culture and the Internet Attention Economy Waste Your Time

Our favorite YouTuber breaks down what happens when car culture, hyper-consumerism, and internet brain rot collide — and how to claw our way out.

September 26, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Flatbush Ave. Sees Red Edition

Red-painted bus lanes are coming to Flatbush Avenue in downtown Brooklyn. Plus more news.

September 26, 2025

New Bill Would Force Amazon To Directly Hire Its Delivery Drivers

Council Member Tiffany Caban wants Amazon to have to directly hire its employees who make deliveries across the city.

September 25, 2025
See all posts