Vent: Sketching at Piedmont Park this weekend and almost got ran over

I was at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Saturday just trying to doodle the skyline, and this guy on an electric scooter nearly plowed right through my sketchbook. He came flying down the path at maybe 20 mph and didn't even look up from his phone. I sat there for another 30 minutes and counted 7 people almost collide with kids or dogs. Has anyone else dealt with sketch spots getting wrecked by scooter traffic?

3 comments

3 Comments

garcia.tyler20d ago

Man, scooters in parks are getting out of hand. I've had the same thing happen sketching outside of Grant Park in Chicago, one guy nearly took out my whole easel setup because he was texting and swerving like a maniac. It's frustrating because you finally find this peaceful spot to focus, and then you're stuck playing dodgeball with people who treat every path like a racetrack. Your mileage may vary, but I've started scouting spots that are just barely off the main paths, even if the view isn't as perfect, just to avoid the chaos. Feels like public parks need some kind of slow zones or designated paths for that stuff, otherwise it's only going to get worse.

mark_price20d ago

I actually read a piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last month about e-scooter complaints in parks. They said calls to the park service about scooters on pedestrian paths went up 40% from last year. I had a close call near the Oak Hill area where some kid on a scooter cut right through my setup. I started tucking into spots with a tree at my back so at least nothing can hit me from behind.

reese_nelson6d ago

Man that sucks, I feel for you having to dodge scooters just trying to do your thing.