Scooters

Frequently Asked Questions about Scooters

1. How do I report a scooter that is blocking the sidewalk, parked incorrectly or damaged?

   To report a scooter that is blocking the sidewalk, parked incorrectly or damaged, contact the scooter company: 
   Lime:   888-LIME-345
   Spin:   888-249-9698

   • Each scooter should display a phone number to call, as well as a visible unique ID number you can use to help the companies quickly determine the location. Scooters usually have a QR code on them that you can use with a smartphone to leave a comment with the company.
   • Scooter companies are required to address incorrectly parked scooters within 2 hours of being notified of a problem during weekdays.
   • If the same scooter has not been moved within the two hour time frame - only after it has been reported to the company - please contact Saint Paul Public Works at 651-266-6100 or publicworksinfo@ci.stpaul.mn.us (regular business hours only).
   • Except for extraordinary circumstances, city staff will not relocate scooters.

2. Where can shared scooters be parked?

   Scooters can be parked within the boulevard of the public right of way, which is generally the space between the sidewalk and the curb. Scooters may be parked on paved or unpaved boulevards. Scooters are not permitted to block the adjacent sidewalks or streets and must maintain a minimum of 5’ pedestrian walkway at all times. Scooters cannot be parked in a way that blocks access to pedestrian ramps, fire hydrants, driveways, alleys, bus stops, doors, or other uses of the public right of way. Scooters must be upright when parked. Users are asked to use common sense and courtesy when parking the scooters to keep sidewalks usable and safe for everyone.

3. What are the rules of the road for scooter users?

   Scooter use is regulated by Minnesota State Statute 169.225. In general, people riding scooters follow the same rules of the road as people using bicycles. Scooters are allowed to operate on any street, and users should ride on the right hand side of the street. Scooters are also allowed in bike lanes and bike trails.

4. Can people ride scooters on sidewalks?

   No! Riding scooters on sidewalks is prohibited, except when it is necessary to enter or leave adjacent property. Please exercise care when parking the scooters in the boulevard area adjacent to the sidewalk.

5. Where can people ride scooters in Saint Paul?

   People can ride scooters anywhere in Saint Paul on city streets, bike paths, bike trails and bike lanes. Scooter companies are required to allow trips to start or stop anywhere within Saint Paul municipal boundaries.

6. Where are scooters places/located in Saint Paul?

   The scooter companies are responsible for deploying the scooters across the City each morning, and how to geographically balance the fleet throughout Saint Paul. The City places a limit on the total number of scooters that the scooter companies can deploy in the downtown area, and requires a minimum number of scooters to be deployed within Areas of Concentrated Poverty where over 50% of the residents are people of color (ACP50, as defined by the Metropolitan Council).

   Typically, most scooters are removed from the public right of way overnight to charge the battery, and are re-deployed each morning by the scooter companies.

   To locate a scooter near your location, use the scooter companies app, which can be downloaded for free.

7. Who can rent a shared scooter?

   The City allows the scooter companies to establish the terms of the rental agreement with scooter users. Generally, the scooter companies require users to be 18 years old, have a driver’s license, and have a debit/credit/prepaid payment card.

8. How do you rent a shared scooter?

   Users download apps created by the scooter companies on their smartphone to locate and rent the scooters.

   Users must create an account and enter into a rental agreement with the scooter companies, including entering payment information into the app. There are in-app instructions to walk users through the rental process. Generally, users use a map-based interface within the app to locate an available scooter, scan the QR code on the scooter, and begin the ride.

   Following the ride, users again use the app to end the rental agreement with the scooter company. Typically, the app prompts users to take and submit a photograph of the scooter parked in a correct manner to end the rental agreement.     

9. How much does it cost to rent a shared scooter?

   Rental rates are determined independently by each scooter company. The City does not regulate rental rates. Typically, scooter companies will charge a fee to unlock a scooter in addition to a per minute fee for the duration of the ride. In Saint Paul, if the scooter trip starts or ends in a park there could be an additional fee.

10. Are there programs to make the scooters affordable for all users?

    Yes, users with limited incomes may be eligible for Access programs, which offer reduced price rental rates. Each scooter company has their own program. Visit the scooter company's website for more information:

    Lime:   https://www.li.me/why/community/lime-access
    Spin:   https://www.spin.app/spin-access

11. When are scooters available to rent?

    In Saint Paul, the daily scooter fleet size and availability is determined by the scooter company. Depending on the weather conditions, scooters are usually available in late April/early May through the end of the calendar year. The city can require scooter vendor companies to remove all vehicles when plowing efforts have begun for the season.

    Scooter companies determine their own operating hours, which may differ between scooter companies. Generally, the scooters are removed from the right of way each evening to charge the batteries. Any scooters parked in the public right of way are available to rent.

12. What are shared scooters?

    Shared scooters are privately owned electric scooters that are available to rent within Saint Paul's public right of way. The scooters must meet the definition of Motorized Foot Scooter stated in MN Statute 169.011. Scooters are limited to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour on flat pavement. Scooters are required to have a headlight and taillight. All scooters have a built-in GPS, allowing the scooter companies to manage their fleet of scooters.

13. How does a shared scooter program benefit Saint Paul?

    Shared scooters are part of a larger citywide effort to encourage safe, affordable, and sustainable ways for people to travel around Saint Paul. Residents and visitors benefit from having multiple options to choose from when traveling around the City. For many residents, shared scooters are an affordable alternative to driving, and may provide “last mile” connections for transit users.

14. What is the agreement between the scooter companies and the City?

    The scooter companies must have an annual agreement with the City, which includes payment to the City for each trip that starts or ends within Saint Paul. Vendors must also pay an additional fee for all trips that start or end within parkland. The City uses the collected funds to offset impacts to parkland and oversee the scooter company contracts.

15. What data does the City get from the scooter companies?

    Scooter companies generally use the GPS unit in the scooter and in the user’s phone to collect data about where and how the scooters are used. The scooter companies are required to share certain data with the City, including the location and duration of each trip. The City does not receive any information identifying the users of the scooters.