MILWAUKEE — Over the last four years, electric scooters have become a common sight on the streets of Milwaukee. Two operators, Lime and Spin, have had their rentable scooters on city streets since 2019. However, both were subject to a multi-year pilot program to make sure operations were going smoothly.

What You Need To Know

  • Spin and Lime electric rental scooters will remain in Milwaukee

  • Scooters have been part of a multi-year pilot program throughout the city

  • New charging stations and expansion is also coming for Bublr bikes

On Monday, Milwaukee city leaders announced a long-term agreement with both Lime and Spin, which will allow them to operate permanently in the city. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said as part of the agreement, both Lime and Spin are committing to make sure there is scooter access in all parts of the city.

“We will make sure these scooters are equitably deployed across the city. Lime and Spin offer automatic discounts for trips in key equity areas as well, so I want to thank those providers for doing that,” Johnson said during a press conference Monday.

Some who ride rental scooters regularly in the city say they are pleased that scooters will be operating on a long-term basis. Michael Takaki said he rides a scooter daily to get from home to his job as a restaurant host downtown.

“I feel like I use the scooters so much that they kinda do impact my daily life, so the fact they are staying is a good thing in my book,” Takaki said.

While scooters will remain, Milwaukee officials made clear that riders need to follow rules, including not riding on sidewalks and not parking them in places that block the sidewalk or roadway.

In addition to growing scooter operations, Milwaukee’s Bublr Bikes are also seeing growth. Monday they announced a new charging station which is smaller and will allow them to place E-bikes in more areas of the city.