If it seems that folks have been zipping around on those darn dockless electric scooters a LOT this year, that’s because, well, they have.
At a Public Works Committee meeting on Wednesday, representatives from the Department of Public Works revealed that a total of 588,294 trips had been recorded on Lime and Spin scooters this year—an average of 4,832 trips per day. The numbers represent a nearly 40% increase from 2023.
After three years of pilot studies, Milwaukee’s permanent scooter program began on May 17, 2024. The program allows for two operators to deploy up to 1,000 scooters each—more if they meet certain requirements.
“Our ridership continues to see tremendous growth,” said DPW Senior Transportation Planner Zac Roder.
“Can’t argue with success!” said committee chair Alderman Bob Bauman. “Those are some big numbers. What’s our piece of the action?”
Yep, the city is getting paid. Under the new program, operators pay the city $100 for each scooter deployed, and $.25 for each trip recorded. Roder revealed that the program had generated $436,486.50 so far. That revenue will go into the city’s transportation fund and will be used for things like “scooter-related activities” and “protected bikeways,” Roder said.
Wednesday’s presentation was filled with even more fascinating scooter facts. A few:
• August 2024 rides were up 53% from last year, representing an extended “summer peak.”
• Lime scooters accounted for a whopping 89% of this year’s rides. Spin scooters accounted for 11%. These percentages track with nationwide data, Roder said.
• Proper parking of scooters has been improving. There were more than 80 new “parking corrals” created this summer, bringing the city’s total to more than 200. Other things have contributed to improved parking, including clustered parking zones, virtual parking pins on scooter apps, a full-time Lime employee charged with patrolling the city and correcting improperly parked scooters, and a dedicated Lime staff member who evaluates “end of ride” photos.
• The greatest increase in rides occurred on the city’s west, far north, and far south sides.
“Does it make any sense to increase the supply of scooters?” Bauman asked near the end of Wednesday’s meeting.
Roder explained that while demand is high, adding more scooters without swamping the city in them was a “balancing act that we’re constantly discussing.”
As the meeting concluded, Bauman could be heard commenting on the big numbers off-mic.
“Five-hundred-eighty-eight thousand! Jesus Christ! You can’t argue with that!”
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.
RELATED ARTICLES
• Those darn scooters are back
• Stuff We Missed: Those darn scooters will probably return, permanently this time
• Stuff We Missed: Those darn scooters might return to Wauwatosa, too