Denver starting its own dockless scooter pilot program
City officials continue their quest to rein in the fleet of dockless electric scooters dropped throughout Denver by outside companies, this time letting Bird and Limebike know Denver Public Works is rolling out its own pilot program for “dockless mobility technology.” The program, which the city said includes but it is not limited to dockless bikes and electric scooters, would allow for residents to enjoy their rides “in a way that respects our public spaces and meets Denver’s mobility goals, as outlined in the city’s Mobility Action Plan.”
When Limebike and then Bird decided to dish out hundreds of electric scooters along Denver streets, the city wasn’t keen on being left out of the loop. It told the companies it would start impounding scooters to protect city sidewalks. The city told Bird and Limebike they faced $150 fine per scooter seized and ended up scooping up more than 250 scooters last week after warnings to remove the products from the public right of way.
Dockless operators can apply to be a part of the program through June 29, the city said.