MILWAUKEE — Scooter companies are no longer allowed to deploy or allow trips in downtown Milwaukee due to an excess of trips on sidewalks as of Tuesday, the city said.

What You Need To Know

  • Scooter companies are not allowed to deploy or allow trips in downtown Milwaukee due to an excess of trips on sidewalks

  • Those participating in the 2021 Pilot Study, including Bird, Lime and Spin, will be prohibited from deploying or allowing new trips in Zone 1, which encompasses downtown, near west side, near south side and lower east side

  • Bird, Lime and Spin are required to provide in-app messaging that addresses sidewalk riding and conduct monthly safety events in areas with high sidewalk riding

  • The 2021 pilot runs from May 15 – Nov. 15

Scooter companies participating in the 2021 City of Milwaukee Pilot Study, including Bird, Lime and Spin, will be prohibited from deploying or allowing new trips in Zone 1, which encompasses downtown, near west side, near south side and lower east side.

The city noted its Department of Public Works (DPW) is following a legal requirement set forth by a resolution that allows the 2021 program to exist. The legislation requires prohibitions on deployments and new trips if more than 10% of scooter operations in a zone occur on public sidewalks.

“DPW continues to fully support greater micro-mobility and multimodal transportation options,” Commissioner of Public Works Jeff Polenske said. “DPW will continue to work with stakeholders, operators, elected officials and the public in hopes of safely resuming new trips and scooter deployment in Zone 1.”

Bird, Lime and Spin are required to provide in-app messaging that addresses sidewalk riding and conduct monthly safety events in areas with high sidewalk riding. They must also demonstrate this technology to city staff, with the potential to reduce future sidewalk riding.

On Wednesday, Lime Director of Government and Community Relations LeAaron Foley said the company looks forward to continuing its partnership with Milwaukee.

"While we are disappointed about the prohibition of scooters in Zone 1, Lime is working closely with the City of Milwaukee to address its concerns," Foley said. "The Lime Milwaukee team is committed to reducing sidewalk riding and we have seen a marked reduction from 2019 to 2021, likely due to our robust rider education efforts and the implementation of our patent-pending sidewalk riding detection technology to change rider behavior. To date, Lime has provided more than 200,000 trips across Milwaukee and we hope to resume service in Zone 1 soon to continue supporting the city’s safe reopening."

The 2021 pilot runs from May 15 – Nov. 15. Scooter usage has remained popular with over 298,000 rides thus far. About 27% of these trips originated in Zone 1. 

Per research conducted by the city from the 2019 pilot program, approximately 30% of rides through 15 popular intersections were taking place on sidewalks.

-

Facebook Twitter