The City of Long Beach has announced the launch of an electric scooter (e-scooter) pilot program, providing the City’s residents and visitors with even more shared mobility options. The pilot program, which runs through January 31, 2019, permits six operators to each deploy 150 e-scooters, citywide. Below is a list of frequently asked questions relating to our e-scooter program:

How does the pilot program work?

We have six operators participating in the pilot program and the city is split into three zones. Each operator needs to maintain twenty percent of its fleet in each zone so that city residents will have the opportunity to see how different operators do business in their areas. At the end of the program, the City will assess how each operator served the community over the three-month pilot. Then the City will determine if a permanent program makes sense, and if so, which operator or operators will be licensed for long-term service.

Why are you splitting the city into zones?

Each operator needs to maintain at least twenty percent of its fleet in each zone. This is to give all residents the opportunity to try each operator’s equipment and for the operators to learn about different parts of the City. We want to give everyone the chance to try various brands of scooters and ensure that all the scooters don’t concentrate in just a couple parts of the city.

Why did you wait to do this program?

The City closely followed the issues that other cities faced with e-scooters. We also noted what worked well in other cities. By waiting, we were able to use those examples to craft a pilot program that bypasses some of those growing pains and puts in place a place a more mature program that we think best fits our city.

What do riders need to know before riding?

Riders need to be 18 years of age and possession of driver license per the California Vehicle Code. They must wear a helmet, and if they don’t have one, they can request one for free from an operator. They cannot ride on the sidewalk, must use a bike lane whenever possible and need to park their scooters out of the street and out of the public right of way. If riders have any questions or issues, they can reach a dedicated customer service hotline at (562) 908-3516 and LongBeachCallCenter@willdan.com.