Some City Councilmembers in Eastern parts of Queens were upset with the launch of e-scooters by the city DOT last Thursday.

The e-scooter share program covers community boards 7, 8, 11 and 12, which combined is approximately 20 square miles, running from Flushing and Auburndale in the north, Rochdale Village and Springfield Gardens in the south.

The Department of Transporation wants the plan to build on its success in the Bronx, in which the city recorded 4.1 million trips among 163,000 unique commuters since August 2021.

The agency says the expansion provides critical connections to major transportation and commercial hubs for roughly 600,000 residents.

“E-scooter share has arrived in Eastern Queens and we are very excited to build upon the successful East Bronx pilot,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez in a statement. “This expansion delivers a popular, safe, and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation.”

Riders using Bird, Lime and Veo e-scooters can give the agency feedback via email to scooter.share@dot.nyc.gov.

Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) said he was troubled by the launch of the e-scooter program in Northeast Queens.

“E-scooters have no place in our community,” said Gennaro via email. “Not only do these e-scooters pose a major hazard to both its operators and pedestrians, they are often left haphazardly on sidewalks and streets, creating dangerous obstacles on our public sidewalks. The risks associated with these e-scooters, including accidents and injuries, far outweigh any potential benefits.

“Our neighborhood deserves better than to become a testing ground for a program that prioritizes convenience over community safety.”

Councilwoman Sandra Ung (D-Flushing) shared Gennaro’s sentiments.

“I have consistently voiced my opposition to expanding the e-scooter program into Flushing,” Ung said in an email. “Flushing already faces significant challenges with sidewalk congestion, and my priority has always been to ensure safe, walkable sidewalks for pedestrians. Adding e-scooter corrals and allowing them to park on the sidewalk will only exacerbate the congestion we are already struggling to manage.”

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) was neutral about the launch.

“Speaker Adams is continuing to listen to community feedback as the program is rolled out,” said a spokesperson for Adams.

Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), chair on the Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure, was not available for comment. At a Community Board 13 meeting in May, Bryan Block, the board’s chair, said she had blocked the e-scooter share program in that part of Queens after residents pushed back.

“We do not want scooters in CB 13,” said Block at the meeting.

Whitney Barrat, president of the Downtown Jamaica Partnership Business Improvement District said in a statement she was thrilled about the program.

“As a critical economic and cultural hub, our commercial corridor can only thrive when patrons have easy access to be able to shop, linger, and return,” said Barrat. “While we’re fortunate to have one of the largest transportation hubs in North America in our district, the area surrounding the AirTrain is lacking in proximate subway connections, and people tend to rely heavily on their cars.”