Hoboken Sees First E-Scooter Rider Arrest, Record Usage Rates

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken’s fledgling e-scooter program recently marked a pair of milestones: the highest ridership numbers in Lime’s history… and the city’s first e-scooter-related arrest.

Last month, Hoboken kicked off a half-year pilot program that makes e-scooters available for rent throughout the city. The ubiquitous transportation devices are allowed to go to 18 mph, but riders are banned from traveling on city sidewalks.

• See related article: Hoboken Prepares For E-Scooters As Gov. Murphy Signs New Law

On June 11, Lime – one of the companies providing e-scooters in the city alongside Ojo – reported that the vehicles “continue to roll at record rates in Hoboken.”

Since Lime rolled out its e-scooter pilot program in Hoboken three weeks ago, more than 21,500 unique riders have taken more than 66,500 rides, the highest ridership per scooter in Lime’s markets around the world over that period, the company stated.

The 21,500 unique riders equate to more than a third of the population of Hoboken, Lime stated.

“The popularity of e-scooters in Hoboken has been astounding,” said Phil Jones, senior director of East Coast government relations and strategic partnerships at Lime. “E-scooters are changing the way people commute and are reducing the dependence on cars in the Mile Square City.”

Lime, the City of Hoboken, and Hoboken Police Department have been working to educate riders on how to ride scooters safely and properly.

• See related article: Hoboken Rolls Out E-Scooters (Learn The Rules Of The Road)

E-SCOOTER RIDER HITS PEDESTRIAN, FLEES: COPS

Since the pilot program launched, Hoboken police have issued “a little over a dozen summonses” for road violations involving e-scooters. But on Wednesday, Hoboken saw its first e-scooter-related arrest, police reported.

According to the Hoboken Police Department, while directing traffic in the area of Newark and Hudson Street at 12:43 p.m., an officer saw a man riding an e-scooter opposite the flow of traffic.

As the officer watched, the rider – later identified as Carl Mattson, 35, of Edison – struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk. When the officer stopped to help the pedestrian, Mattson allegedly fled the scene on his e-scooter, authorities said.

Ignoring the officer’s commands to stop, Mattson continued riding away from the scene opposite the flow of traffic. Police eventually caught up to Mattson and arrested him a short distance away.

The pedestrian suffered an injured ankle, police said.

Authorities charged Mattson with obstructing the administration of law. He was also issued several motor vehicle summonses for traveling the wrong way on a one-way road, failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk and riding on a sidewalk.

On Thursday, a Lime spokesperson released the following statement about the June 19 arrest.

“Illegal use of a scooter is unacceptable, and the rule of law must be followed at all times to prevent unfortunate incidents like this. We commend the Hoboken Police Department and their officer for his quick action, and will continue to work with them and the city to educate the public on how to operate scooters and ensure safe streets for all.”

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