2021 Dockless Scooter Pilot Study

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) is initiating a second Dockless Scooter Pilot Study (pilot) to observe, solicit feedback on, and evaluate the effectiveness of dockless scooters in Milwaukee for the purpose of determining how to best incorporate scooters into the transportation landscape moving forward.

 

Pilot Study Goals

• Provide equitable transportation services
• Increase transportation options
• Evaluate impacts on access to the public right of way

Who owns the scooters?

The scooters are privately owned and rented out by the minute using a smartphone app. Three companies rent electric scooters within the city of Milwaukee: Spin, Lime and Bird.  

How do I find and ride a scooter?

Each of the companies has its own smartphone app. Downloading the app and creating an account prior to your ride will save time. Once you have the app, you can locate and unlock scooters using your phone.  

What are the payment options?

Bird, Lime, and Spin offer discounted rate programs and ways to participate without a smartphone and with a cash payment option. Click the links below to learn more; note that Bird's link will send an email. 

Bird                           Lime                            Spin

 

How do I ride safely?

• Helmet use is encouraged while riding a dockless scooter  

• Sidewalk riding is prohibited; ride on the street in a bike lane when possible or on a shared-use trail

• Riding and parking on the Riverwalk is prohibited  

• Users are required to follow all rules of the road  

How should I park when I'm done with my ride?

• Be mindful of pedestrians on sidewalks 

• Keep at least 5' accessible space on the sidewalk 

• Don't block curb ramps 

• Don't block driveways or alleys 

• Don't block bus or streetcar stops 

How should I drive around people on scooters?

• Give at least 3' of space when passing someone on a scooter or bike

• When turning, look and yield to people scooting, biking, or walking

• When exiting a parked car, use your right hand so you automatically look over your shoulder for people scooting or biking

How do I report issues with scooters?

Please contact scooter operators directly for complaints related to parking or other issues related to a single operator. For general questions or feedback on the program, contact Kate Riordan (kriord@milwaukee.gov).

Operator	Scooter Color	Website	Phone Number	Email
Bird	Black	http://www.bird.co/	(866) 205-2442	hello@bird.co
Lime	Green	http://li.me/	(888) 546-3345	help-milwaukee@li.me
Spin	Orange	http://www.spin.app/	(888) 262-5189	support@spin.pm

You can also access this information through the following ways:

• Visiting milwaukee.gov/ScooterOperators

• Calling 414-286-CITY (2489) and selecting the appropriate menu option

• Using the Milwaukee Mobile Action app and selecting "Dockless Scooter Issues"

What is being done to address sidewalk riding?

• Each rider receives an in-app notification that says "sidewalk riding is illegal" before beginning a ride

• Operators are required to conduct monthly sidewalk riding outreach in areas where high sidewalk riding has been observed

• Each operator has committed to deploying sidewalk riding detection technology on a portion of their scooter fleet

• An independent consultant is making observations of sidewalk and street riding with consequences for operators whose users are riding on the sidewalk

 

Application Materials

Please note that the application for the 2021 Dockless Scooter Pilot Study is closed. These materials are for reference only.

Application
Request for Proposals
Terms and Conditions
Appendix A: Service Zone Map
Appendix B: Intersection Counts Scope of Services

Map Layers (note: clicking link will download file)
Service Zones 1 - 6
Milwaukee City Limit
 

2019 Dockless Scooter Pilot Study 

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works initiated a Dockless Scooter Pilot Study on July 23, 2019. Three companies - Bird, Lime, and Spin - participated in the pilot study. The pilot study was authorized to run through December 31, 2019; however, all three companies had removed their scooters by the end of November. 

DPW staff conducted a thorough evaluation of the pilot study, which includes an overview of ridership, results from the public survey, goals analysis, and more. This report also provides a recommendation for a new 2021 pilot study.

2019 Dockless Scooter Pilot Study Evaluation & Recommendation Report

 

Additional 2019 Dockless Scooter Pilot Study Information

Public Survey Results

Application materials:

Application Instructions
Application
Terms and Conditions 
Plan of Operations
Appendix A: Service Zone Map / Service Zone Map GIS Layer Package