Other stuff: Paris to vote on scooter ban, the FTC strikes back, Cardi B rails on $6 lettuce
Regulators are in full swing and it's only January!
The winning vote from our inaugural standalone Other Stuff poll was Friday, closely followed by Saturday/Sunday. Only 21 of you voted so this was a real case of ‘every vote matters’ but for now I will think of Other Stuff as a Friday/weekend section. Due to extenuating circumstances (more on that later), this edition of Other Stuff is being published today, a Monday, which got only three votes.
🚲 Micromobility & mobility
Parisians to vote on banning e-scooters, which are at a crossroads. Amsterdam calls for crackdown on ‘souped-up’ e-bikes. Lisbon clamps down on e-scooters. UK bicycle maker Brompton to source fewer parts from China and Taiwan. Halford shares slump on weaker demand for bicycles, cost of living crisis. Denver plans next round of (slightly smaller) e-bike rebates. Atlanta considers e-bike subsidy. D.C. bill would make e-bikes more affordable for residents. Lyft-owned Divvy backpedals on plan to phase out classic bike-share bikes for e-bikes. Researchers Could Track the GPS Location of All of California’s New Digital License Plates. Bosch unveils security dash-cam designed for ride-hail drivers.
🏙 Policy & urban policy
Cities and states are trying to limit high application fees for renters. Denver launches free composting, pay-as-you-go trash collection. British Columbia weighs employment standards for gig work. New York City replacing hundreds of fleet vehicles with EVs. New York City needs space for tens of thousands of EV chargers. Mayor Adams unveils plans to turn NYC offices into 20,000 new apartments. The cities keeping their car-free spaces. London remains world's most congested city. Dem lawmakers call for companies to extend abortion benefits to gig workers. How the Next Big Supreme Court Labor Case Threatens Workers’ Rights. FTC probes Pepsi, Coke for price discrimination. The FTC returns to its progressive, activist roots. “To see what a fully operational battle-station looks like, cast your eye upon Lina Khan.”
💵 Deals & misc. tech
Spanish ride-hail firm Cabify plans IPO at €2 billion valuation. Why Tiger Global Reneged on Commitments to Fund Other VC Firms. The tech companies drowning in convertible debt. Boxed considers selling itself amid cash crunch. Marc Lore food delivery startup Wonder scraps food truck strategy. Amazon cuts 18,000 jobs. Tech Layoffs Are Happening Faster Than at Any Time During the Pandemic. Companies Hand Out Dubious Job Titles to Avoid Paying $4 Billion in Overtime. As Gig Economy Companies Flee Europe, Getir Is Taking Over.
🍩 Other other stuff
The age of inconvenience. My Year of Reddit and Relaxation. Even Cardi B Hates the Rising Grocery Prices. Dunkin’ Super-Fan Ben Affleck Spotted Serving Coffee at Area Dunkin’ Drive-Thru.