Manhattan lost Link electric scooters in December when the Superpedestrian company ceased operations. However, talk circles Manhattan about scooters potentially returning. 

Dan Grate, Kansas State parking services office manager, said Manhattan has “another scooter company heading this direction.”

Ashley Landau, senior in ecology who used the LINK scooters when they were available, said there were benefits and downsides to them.

“It is better than drinking and driving, and it helps people get around town when you don’t have a car,” Landau said. “But they could be dangerous if you rode them too fast or while intoxicated, and people misused the scooters a lot.”

Landau said a new scooter company could make changes to increase effectiveness.

“Maybe they could be locked in a set area when they’re not actively being used so they don’t get left in bad spots,” Landau said. 

Mai Britt Sangil, freshman in architecture, said scooters would benefit her as she frequently commutes from the dorms to campus. 

“I spend around two hours each day walking, which to me is a waste,” Sangil said. “A scooter would be efficient and help me be more productive because I leave most of my things in the studio during the day and pick them up after classes.”

Sangil said the scooter system would need improvements.

“They could add front baskets to the scooters to help people carry things,” Sangil said. “Perhaps for the ones on campus, you could use your student ID to help keep track of who checked them out and if they were misused.” 

Sangil said even with potential misuse, it’d be beneficial to have them back in town.

“You’re always going to have to deal with people who won’t use things properly,” Sangil said. “But the scooters help people get around quickly and efficiently. People might not have their own car, or be able to take a bike or scooter of their own. That opportunity should be available to everyone.”

The City of Manhattan declined to comment on the potential return of scooters.