Milwaukee e-scooters returning permanently, launch event Monday

Bill Miston
·2 min read

MILWAUKEE - Electric scooters are back in Milwaukee, this time for the long run.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced Monday, May 20 that they will be part of a permanent program in the city.

As the weather gets warmer and more people head outside, it's almost impossible not to run into one of them.

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"It’s very convenient," said Naziear Harvey, a scooter rider. "Instead of like, wasting gas, and even having trouble finding parking."

Since 2018, electric scooters have been sharing the streets of Milwaukee.

"We’re no longer in the pilot phase of this program, we have a permanent program in Milwaukee now," Johnson said. "Milwaukee sees a high amount of people using these micro mobility methods to get around. We see very high ridership which has continued to grow."

The city had three pilot programs. More than 1.5 million people have taken a trip on these scooters, with 700,000 in 2023 alone.

Milwaukee has now partnered with Lime and Spin.

The city says the program has the following goals:

  • To provide transportation services in areas where other options might not be available.

  • Increase transportation options, such as getting to and from your destination in that last mile.

  • Minimize how scooters affect access to the public right of way.

Contractors can put out up to 1,000 dockless scooters, with a minimum of 500 available in May, June, July, August and September, and a minimum of 250 in April and October.

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The permanent program might be new, but the rules are still the same. You should wear a helmet, stay off the sidewalks and have only one person on a scooter.

"We want these individuals that are riding these to ride in protected bike lanes," said Department of Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Krushcke. "It provides safer options, it helps tackle reckless driving."

The city says it received $400,000 in revenue during the last pilot study.