Spin electric scooters join White Center pilot project Monday
Sep 7, 2020, 7:00 AM | Updated: Sep 8, 2020, 10:25 am
A user rides a Spin scooter on April 17, 2018, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Spin, a San Francisco based company, is rolling out a fleet of e-scooters to the North Highline area south of Seattle, including White Center, starting Monday. A one-year pilot program launched in that area on Aug. 17, 2020, with electric scooters operated by Lime.
Shared scooters operate similarly to bike share programs, where anyone can access a scooter using a smartphone app, ride to their destination, and leave it in an appropriate location.
Lime and Spin are now the two companies participating in the pilot, which was created through legislation led by King County Councilmember Joe McDermott.
“This program is part of an effort to give residents a micro-mobility option that’s safe and socially distant, as well as a first-mile/last-mile option to connect with transit,” McDermott said. “Spin joining this effort will play a major role in further connecting the White Center community.”
Spin is placing up to 50 scooters at popular transit stops across White Center. It costs $1 to unlock the scooter and 25 cents per minute to ride. Scooters can be accessed at discounted rates by applying for the Spin Access program, which also grants access for riders without smartphones, mobile location services, or credit cards. Lime also offers a discounted program for qualified riders.
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Riders can operate a scooter from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily by finding the nearest available scooter on the Spin app and activating it with a QR code on the handlebar. All riders must wear a helmet. During the pandemic, it is recommended that riders also wear a mask whenever they’ll be within six feet of others. Spin scooters will be sanitized and maintained by Spin employees.
As an incentive, Spin plans to offer users who park near specific bus stops at the end of their ride $1 off their next ride. Check the app for those locations.
The pilot program runs through August 2021 and could be extended or made permanent. Find more information from the county here.
