JUMP, Lyft, Spin, And Lime Foot Scooters Coming To Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — The city of Minneapolis has selected four operators — JUMP, Lyft, Spin and Lime — to enter in to license agreements to participate in its shared motorized foot scooter pilot program.

Under the extended pilot program, the number of scooters allowed in the city is capped at 2,000 to be divided evenly among the operators. A maximum of 800 scooters are allowed downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, and at least 600 scooters must be distributed "in areas of concentrated poverty in north, northeast and south Minneapolis," the city said.

The extended pilot program runs through March 31, 2020.

The goal of the scooter pilot program is to determine how to best position scooters as a long-term viable transportation option for all in Minneapolis, and align with the work of the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan update.

Equity and safety are key focus areas for the pilot program, the city said Monday.

Beyond the scooter distribution requirements, operators are required to have low-income pricing programs and alternative access options for people who don’t have smartphones or require a cash payment option.

They are also required to have ongoing education and outreach on safe riding and proper parking behavior, as well as the previously mentioned equitable pricing and access initiatives, according to a news release.

State law regulates how motorized foot scooters can be operated. Scooters must follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists. They can’t be ridden on sidewalks and must be parked upright using the kickstand outside of the pedestrian path of travel