Press Release 03 27 2024 Lime Green Scooters
Lime scooters and e-bikes returning to Rochester this spring
March 27, 2024 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – Lime scooters and e-bikes will be back in Rochester this spring, and there are some new rules in place to improve how they share the right-of-way. Rochester City Council voted on March 18 to authorize the new contract. About 300 scooters and 50 e-bikes, will start being deployed as early as the first week of April, weather permitting.
New to the program this year are mandatory parking zones designed to keep unused scooters and e-bikes from becoming a hazard or nuisance in select locations. Users ending their trips near these areas will be guided in-app to park closer to designated pins. The zones are located in Cascade Lake Park, Quarry Hill Park, Central Park, Mayo Park, Silver Lake, Soldiers Field, and the Downtown District.
To encourage compliance with the new parking zones and other rules of operation, Lime is introducing tiered penalties for violations of the rules. Users who fail to comply with parking or riding rules will receive a warning for the first and second violations, then fines will be assessed for repeat violations. After five offenses, a user will be banned from Lime rental for the remainder of the season.
As the City of Rochester seeks to balance the benefits of electric scooter and e-bike sharing operations with its duty to keep streets and sidewalks safe, accessible, and free of obstruction, City teammates would like to remind residents of their responsibilities when using a shared electric micro-mobility vehicle.
How to start a ride: To start a ride, locate and reserve a Lime vehicle in the Lime app or on the street. When you arrive at the vehicle, select the "Start Ride" button in the app or scan the QR code on the central crossbar of the vehicle to start your ride. For more information or troubleshooting when using a Lime scooter or e-bike, please visit Lime's webpage. Remember to end your ride via the app and park the vehicle appropriately to stop getting charged for the ride.
Where to ride: Scooters and e-bikes cannot be used on public sidewalks. Scooters and e-bikes must be used in the roadway, in a bicycle lane, or on a multi-use trail. Furthermore, use of these vehicles is prohibited in the skyway system.
Where to park: All Scooters and E-bikes need to follow parking rules and restrictions on public right-of-way. Scooters and bikes must be parked upright and stabilized with the kickstand. Scooters and bikes need to be left in designated areas where noted above, and in other cases on the boulevard area between the sidewalk and the curb.
How to report abandoned scooters and e-bikes: All Lime scooters and e-bikes have an additional QR code located on the vehicle frame, which allows anyone with a smartphone to report an abandoned vehicle. Lime's goal is to collect reported devices within 72 hours. Residents are encouraged to assist the City and Lime in reporting misplaced vehicles that appear abandoned for long periods of time.
To review specific laws regarding motorized foot scooters, please reference Minnesota Statute 169.225.
A digital copy of this release is available here.