E-Scooters Return To Chicago For 2-Years Under New Plan

CHICAGO — Shareable electric scooters will become a sidewalk staple in Chicago neighborhoods for two years beginning in 2022, City Council members voted Thursday.

The proposal picks up where a prior pilot program left off, allowing up to three companies to obtain a two-year license to place e-scooters around the city. Bird and Lime are expected to take two of the licenses, as they operated a test run for the past year to see if Chicagoans would be interested in the service.

Responding to many concerns about safety, aldermen at the council meeting ensured residents the scooters would not be allowed on sidewalks. To make good on that promise, each scooter licensed by the city has to have "geo-fencing technology" that will detect when a rider is on the sidewalk, setting off a warning for the rider and nearby pedestrians.

Bird and Lime told aldermen they already have the technology to slow scooters to a halt if they are on the sidewalk.

Through the proposal, each company that obtains a license would be required to pay $1 per scooter per each day it is in city limits. Companies can pay for up to 2,000 scooters at first and increase that to 12,500 if demand allows and the Chicago Department of Transportation commissioner agrees.

A spokesman for CDOT said they anticipate scooter licenses will bring in about $4.5 million at first. Residents' rides would be taxed .o9 cents for every dollar in ride expenses, however.

"We believe that the e-scooters offer an affordable, convenient and environmentally friendly way for Chicagoans to get around the city," said Kevin O'Malley, deputy commissioner of the Department of Transportation at a meeting.

The only alderman to cast a "no" vote was Ald. David Moore (17th) who said he was concerned about where and how to dock the scooters. Last summer, many residents were upset by scooters cluttering the sidewalks or being dumped in inconvenient places due to the companies' virtual docking option.

To alleviate that concern, the proposal requires scooters can only be available from 5 a.m. to midnight and must be locked to a physical structure when parked such as a bike rack or pole.

The companies must also must agree to relocate a certain percentage of their scooter fleet to the city's South and West sides to ensure each area has access.

Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) did not vote against the measure, but voiced his concern for the elderly residents of his Far North Side ward who often get hit by bicyclists on the sidewalks along Sheridan Road where a large nursing home facility is located. He asked officials to block scooters from that specific area.

"Candidly, I don't trust their ability to keep them off sidewalks," he said Thursday.

Scooters will start rolling out in city neighborhoods as early as this spring.