With Roadmap 11 and other EV industry events, the Forth staff has been working hard lately, but summer in the Northwest also means playing hard in the great outdoors! From hiking to paddleboarding to long rides on our bikes, we’re an active office that loves where we live. In late July, the Portland Bureau of Transportation issued the first permits for electric scooters in the City to Skip, Bird, and Lime and we felt it was our duty to take them for a spin!

Name/Title: Catherine Teebay, Program Manager

• Favorite local ice cream shop:  Salt and Straw! (specifically, Chocolate Gooey Brownie)
• How you get around: walking, biking, and a little bit of driving, car sharing, ride sharing, and transit
• Favorite summer activity: Drinking an IPA with friends in a sunny place. (usually a patio or deck)
• First impressions of riding the electric scooters: A lot of fun albeit a little squiggly and tall for me! 10/10 would recommend trying one out.

Name/Title: Gina Avalos, Associate Director

• Favorite local ice cream shop: Salt and Straw but I also feel I have to mention Wailua and their delicious Hawaiian Ice!
• How you get around: Public Transit.
• Favorite summer activity: Swimming, kayaking...soaking up the sun while it’s here.
• First impressions of riding the electric scooters: I rode for the first time on a weekend so it was a bit of a competition to find a scooter but once I did I wanted to ride all over town. It took me a minute or so to get comfortable when I first hopped on but after that, it was full speed ahead. I can definitely see myself using an electric scooter for quick (and fun) transportation during the day. It's great to have other transportation options, especially when I'm pressed for time and not able to wait for public transit.

Name/Title: Zach Henkin, Deputy Director

• Favorite local ice cream shop: I don't really like ice cream that much, so whoever has the best sorbet.
• How you get around: Car, bicycle, motorcycle, and occasionally train.
• Favorite summer activity: Camping with the family and hiking/exploring the outdoors.
• First impressions of riding the electric scooters: Fun! In the last week, I've ridden the e-scooters more than I've ridden Biketown bikes over the last year. This is the most significant mobility success Portland has been.

Name/Title: Simbiat Yusuff, Communications Associate

• Favorite local ice cream Shop: Ruby Jewel! (Cookies and Cream)
• How you get around: Public Transit.
• favorite summer activity:  Hiking, berry-picking.
• First impressions of riding the electric scooters: It took me by surprise. The electric scooters are a fun mobility option to get around during those lazy summer days.

Name/Title: Ashley Duplanty, Communications Manager

• Favorite local ice cream shop: Ruby Jewel, hands down.
• How you get around: Car.
• Favorite summer activity: Visiting the Oregon coast! Rain or shine, of course.
• First impressions of riding the electric scooters: I LOVED it!

Name/Title: Sergio Lopez, Program Associate

• Favorite local ice cream shop: Fifty Licks!
• How you get around: Personal bike and/or BIKETOWN.
• Favorite summer activity: Softball. Go Fighting Gimps!
• First impressions of riding the electric scooters: "I hope I don't get a speeding ticket."

Name/title: Jeanette Shaw, Director, Government Affairs

• Favorite local ice cream shop: Ruby Jewel, Woman-Owned Business!
• How you get around: I get around via, train, plane, bike, scooter, car and good ‘ole fashion walking.
• Favorite summer activity: Kayaking!
• First impressions of riding the electric scooter: fun, independent, quick, Yippeee!