Editor’s Note: The council voted 7-0 to select Lime (as the vendor), bring forward an operating plan and a memorandum of understanding. A formal vote to approve by the council is expected in early April.
The City Council voted earlier this month to consider a proposed pilot program that would provide electric scooters to be used as public transportation and recreation in Guthrie. It’s expected to launch this spring.
Lime Scooters, one of the nation’s largest electric scooter rental companies, approached city officials earlier this year. Lime Scooters are typically found in larger metropolitan communities, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The electric scooter is tied with the users cell phone.
The three month trial program — with a possible three month extension trial — for Guthrie would contained a minimum fleet of 50 to a maximum of 100 dockless electric scooters that would be available in parking areas near businesses in the community, for visitors and residents.
The program comes at no cost to the City of Guthrie.
Lime currently operates in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Tulsa, Jenks, Bartlesville and Norman, all supported by the Lime Hub warehouse in Oklahoma City and another garage in Tulsa.
Under the agreement, Lime would operate within the Guthrie city limits as it currently operates in other Oklahoma cities.
Lime will require users to comply with the following:
- Must be at least 18 years old, but a driver’s license is not required
- Must have their own data network access and device necessary to use the service
- One person only on scooter and that person must be the user on the account
- Helmets are recommended but not required unless required by law
- Weight limit of 300 pounds
- User is responsible for a service charge of up to $120 if the device is left in a place it shouldn’t be left
Specific areas where riders can and cannot ride have not been finalized as an operating plan awaits.
Lime officials plan to hire local people to serve as “juicers,” independent contractors that collect scooters with low battery, charge them in their home and then deploy them around the city. Juicers are also taught how to make easy repairs on scooters.
The council voted 7-0 to begin the pilot program (see editor’s note above).
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