Electric Scooters in Spokane: Progress and Challenges Ahead

Strategic Insights -

Efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of electric scooters on Spokane's environment have shown mixed results. While Lime has successfully removed scooters from the Spokane River within a 24-hour timeframe, issues persist, particularly regarding sidewalk use. Effective measures to prevent scooters from being driven on downtown sidewalks, which is prohibited, have yet to be implemented.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lime has made significant improvements in removing scooters from the Spokane River, with a faster response time to reclaim them. According to Jule Schultz, the Spokane Riverkeeper's cleanup director, people are still tossing scooters into the river, but they are being removed quickly.
  • The company has established zones around the river where scooters can't be parked or a parked scooter is flagged for quick relocation. Additionally, Lime has implemented fines for riders who park scooters across sidewalks and block pedestrian paths.
  • Despite progress, the most frequent complaint still persists: users are riding Lime scooters on crowded downtown sidewalks, which is not allowed. Lime is supposed to implement sidewalk detection technology under the new contract, but it has not been fully implemented yet.
  • The sidewalk detection technology is in its pilot phase for data collection, with cameras on certain vehicles evaluating the road surface. A synthesis of data and collaboration with the city is expected to occur by the end of the season.
  • Lime has issued fines to riders, but the exact number is not available due to Lime not being able to provide the data before press time. However, Ryan Shea, a planning department employee, states that the fines appear to have been effective.

Statistics:

  • Over 550,000 Lime scooters were used in Spokane in 2023.
  • Residents reported seeing electric scooters absent at the start of their operational season last year.
  • 50 free bikes painted purple were dumped into the Spokane River during the late 1990s lilac bike program.
  • 95% accuracy was reported by Lime in a previous attempt at sidewalk detection technology using vibration detection and an accelerometer.
  • A camera-based system with machine learning is being piloted in a few markets, with a goal of collating data and starting to work with the city on findings by the end of the season.

Sources:

  • The Spokesman-Review, "Spokane's electric scooter woes persist despite Lime's promises", reported by The Spokesman-Review in 2023.
  • The Spokesman-Review, "Lime scooters flood into Spokane, but so do complaints about them", reported by The Spokesman-Review in 2023.
  • Interview with Hayden Harvey, Director of Government Affairs for Lime.
  • Interview with Jule Schultz, Spokane Riverkeeper's cleanup director.
  • Interview with Ryan Shea, Planning Department employee.