EAST LANSING, Mich. — The electric scooter companies, Gotcha and Lime, have obtained full licenses from the East Lansing City Clerk’s office and are expected to deploy electric scooters in the East Lansing community next week.
East Lansing’s electric scooter licensing process is a part of the City’s new scooter ordinance, which was approved by the East Lansing City Council in March 2019.
Under this new ordinance, electric scooter companies and users must adhere to several rules and regulations. Here are some highlights of the ordinance as well as some state regulations to keep in mind:
Parking
In downtown East Lansing, electric scooter companies are required to deploy their scooters at areas approved by the City (known as scooter hubs). An initial 10 hubs have been approved and it is expected that additional locations will be considered in the future. Outside of the downtown, scooter companies can deploy at any location that is in accordance with the City’s new scooter ordinance.
Scooter companies deploying outside of the downtown and all electric scooter users must park scooters upright with at least five feet of unobstructed sidewalk for pedestrians. If parking on a street, vehicle and bike lanes must be unobstructed. Additionally, scooters may not be parked in a way that interferes with access to the following: crosswalks or sidewalk ramps; bus stops, shelters or waiting areas; loading zones or parking spaces for individuals with disabilities; fire hydrants; benches; parking meters or pay stations; commercial window displays; access to or from any buildings; any bicycle racks; streets, driveways or alleys; roadway travel lanes; and bike lanes. Scooters also may not be parked at metered vehicular parking spaces located on the street or within City parking garages and surface lots.
Riding
When riding electric scooters, no more than one person can ride at a time and they cannot be driven at more than 10 miles per hour on sidewalks in East Lansing. Users should also keep the following in mind:
- Do not operate scooters while intoxicated.
- Wear a helmet (individuals under the age of 19 are required to wear a helmet per the Michigan Vehicle Code).
- Be respectful of pedestrians; slow down and use audible signals when passing.
- Follow all traffic laws, including street signs and stop signs.
- Use caution at crosswalks.
Community members can report safety concerns, make complaints and/or ask questions by contacting the East Lansing Police Department’s 24-hour non-emergency line at (517) 351-4220, Option 1. Gotcha and Lime also have 24-hour customer service numbers that community members can call: 1-844-754-7174 (Gotcha) and 1-888-LIME-345 (Lime).
Community members can find additional information at www.cityofeastlansing.com/escooters.