MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, CDOT, AND BACP ANNOUNCE MICROMOBILITY EXPANSION TO INCLUDE CITYWIDE SCOOTER PROGRAM

 MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, CDOT, AND BACP ANNOUNCE MICROMOBILITY EXPANSION TO INCLUDE CITYWIDE SCOOTER PROGRAM

CHICAGO - Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Department
of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi, and Department
of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)
Commissioner Kenneth J. Meyer announced the selection of
three companies to operate shared scooter programs across the
city, with 3,000 scooters starting operations later this spring. In
addition, the Divvy bike-share system will add 1,000 scooters,
creating the first docked bike and scooter system in the nation. All
enhancements are anticipated to launch in early May 2022.

In October 2021, the Chicago City Council passed an
ordinance to create a new business license category to allow up to
three scooter-sharing companies to operate in the city. In January,
BACP and CDOT launched a process to accept applications
from prospective companies that will permit scooter operations
citywide. The City evaluated license applications from a total
of 6 companies: Lime, Spin, Bird, Helbiz, SuperPedestrian, and
Veo. After an extensive review, the City plans to award licenses to
Lime, Spin, and Superpedestrian.

“A scooter program offers another easy way for residents
and visitors to choose active transportation to get around Chicago,”
said Mayor Lightfoot. “As transportation costs go up, it is
critical that we support micromobility solutions like shared bikes
and scooters, which provide affordable ways to travel in Chicago
without needing a car.”

CDOT and Lyft, which is the operator of the Divvy
bike-sharing system, also announced today that 1,000 scooters
will be incorporated into the downtown core of the Divvy system.
The innovative docking scooters will be able to park at 230
stations in and near downtown, creating the first docked system in
the nation that can accommodate both bikes and scooters side-byside.
Divvy scooters will be available under the existing membership
programs, including the $5 per year Divvy For Everyone
(D4E) program for low-income residents.

“CDOT has taken a balanced approach to bring bikes and
scooters to Chicago in a responsible manner. Today’s announcement
underscores our efforts to not only grow Divvy but to also
welcome three scooter companies to the City. The Divvy program
has been a huge success as ridership continues to break records
and the system expands across Chicago,” said Commissioner
Biagi. “With Lime, Spin, and Superpedestrian, Chicagoans have
more options than ever to connect to the places they want to go.”

“We look forward to working with CDOT to build upon the
Divvy program, using the existing Divvy station network to dock
scooters and help eliminate sidewalk clutter,” said Caroline Samponaro,
VP of Transit, Bike and Scooter Policy at Lyft. “Under
the City’s leadership, an integrated Divvy scooter and bike-share
system will immediately become one of the largest shared micromobility
programs in the country, and Divvy for Everyone will
also become the largest equity membership program.”

In order to manage sidewalk riding and clutter, all scooters
will be equipped with cable-locking technology, as well as sidewalk-
riding detection technology to help reduce riding on sidewalks. Scooters will not be allowed on the Lakefront Trail, the 606, Riverwalk, or Navy Pier. Scooters operated by Lime, Spin, and Superpedestrian will deploy citywide with 50% of scooters required in Equity Priority Areas covering many south and west side neighborhoods. To manage the introduction of scooters in the pedestrian-rich downtown area, only Divvy scooters will begin operations in the central area, and docking in Divvy stations will
be incentivized. In mid-summer, the remaining scooter companies
will be able to deploy scooters in the downtown area if they meet performance targets.

“This first-of-its-kind license demonstrates the business
landscape is ever-changing and that the City is here to support
innovation and new emerging industries,” said BACP Commissioner
Kenneth J. Meyer. “The launch of the new license was
a collaborative effort stemming from an evaluation of the two
previous scooter pilot programs. The success of the programs
led us to an inclusive and equitable mobility option for Chicago
residents.”

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