500 More Scooters Unleashed On Austin Streets With New Entrant

AUSTIN, TX — The city's fleet of electric scooters increased to 500 this week with the entry of provider Skip on Monday, company officials said.

The launch occurred on June 24 in downtown Austin, company spokeswoman Tisha Ferraro told Patch via email. On Friday, the company will stage a group flash ride to enable potential users to get more comfortable riding, learn the rules of the road, and give out free helmets, the spokeswoman added. The ride is scheduled on Friday, June 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Skip Repair Shop, 410 Baylor St.

The scooter procession will start at the company's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility before stopping for tacos at Torchy's, the spokeswoman said.

Ferraro said Skip distinguishes itself from other scooter providers in a number of ways:

"What makes Skip different? We believe in proactively working with the current transit authorities and elected officials in the cities we serve because safe, affordable, sustainable, urban transportation requires a partnership. We worked with Washington DC’s DDOT to create the first permit for shared electric scooters in the US when we launched our hub in Washington DC last year.

"We also open and operate our own repair and maintenance facilities that are staffed with incredible team members we hire and train locally. We focus on repairs rather than replacements — our scooters are fixed and put back on the streets with the least amount of waste produced possible, while maintaining our high standards for safety."