During the last half of 2022, Lakewood will be conducting a Bike & Scooter Share Pilot as part of a broader Cuyahoga County program. This pilot follows study, public survey, and system planning that began in 2019. During the fall of that year, Ordinance 47-19 was enacted to update our traffic code to account for and regulate the operation, parking, and other aspects of the electronic scooters and bicycles provided by the vendors licensed under the County program.
The initial pilot in Lakewood will be limited to 90 devices spread across 12 share stations. The distribution of stations and number of devices has been deliberately set low to introduce – and gauge community demand for – this type of alternative transportation while seeking to avoid the clutter and issues that other municipalities have experienced by allowing a higher number of devices at launch. Our approach is to start small and, if appropriate, grow the share system to meet the observed level of demand. Each station is positioned adjacent to or near existing bicycle infrastructure and routes. Once underway, analysis of device use, parking, and other operational issues will inform a direction that our local bike & scooter share system will take following this initial pilot run.
A few key points:
- This pilot is intended to provide both electric scooters (e-scooters) and electric bikes (e-bikes) – although the provision of e-bikes is subject to vendor availability.
- These devices are available for rent and can be ridden within Lakewood and Cleveland. Service areas and restricted areas can be viewed via the smartphone app/user account when renting a device.
- The operation of these devices is subject to the same traffic laws (Chapter 373) that govern privately-owned bicycles/scooters (see “Ride responsibly…” drop down on right).
- The devices should be parked in designated bicycle parking areas or share system stations but can also be parked responsibly on the sidewalk where they do not block pedestrian pathways or vehicular driveways.
- When not active, the devices lock to themselves rather than a bike rack or a dock and are activated through the company’s smartphone app and user account. Each user is subject to the rates, restrictions, and requirements outlined by each company.
- E-scooters are available for use daily from 5am to 9pm and e-bikes are available 24 hours a day.
- The companies that provide the devices for this pilot are required to routinely collect up and “rebalance” the devices back into the 12 share stations several times per week (See “…Share Stations” drop down on right”). Based on size, these stations will be rebalanced with between 5 – 10 devices.
Reporting A Problem
Do you see an e-scooter or e-bike that is blocking the sidewalk? Did you have a ride cut short due to a mechanical or technological issue?
- Call the vendor. Each scooter and bike has a vendor logo, 24-hour customer service phone number, and device ID number. Call the phone number on the bike or scooter and report your issue.
- If the issue is not addressed within 2 hours after reported to vendor or is causing an immediate safety concern, call the Police non-emergency line (216-521-6773) and report it to the City.
- If the scooter or bike is involved in an emergency, such as a crash, call 911.
General questions may be emailed to planning@lakewoodoh.net
Pilot Company Information
Three companies are offering services as part of this pilot. For your reference and or reporting an issue, each company’s device is clearly labeled with its logo and contact information.
Bird (black/white scooters or light blue/black bicycles)
- Website: https://www.bird.co/
- Customer Service Phone Number: 1-866-205-2442
- Customer Service Email Address: hello@bird.co
- Issue Reporting Form: https://www.bird.co/contact-us/, scroll to “Report Issue” at the end of page
LINK by Superpedestrian (gray/yellow scooters)
- Website: https://www.link.city/
- Customer Service Phone Number: 1-844-701-8163
- Customer Service Email Address:support@link.city
- Issue Reporting Form: In app choose “Report Issue” from the main menu
Spin (scooters with orange detail)
- Website: https://www.spin.app/
- Customer Service Phone Number: 1-888-249-9698
- Customer Service Email Address: hello@spin.pm
- Issue Reporting Form: Go to website, scroll down to very bottom and click “Report a Scooter” in the second column from the left
Other Company Information
Currently, the following companies are not part of the Lakewood Pilot – but do operate in adjacent Cleveland neighborhoods. Should one of their devices need to be reported, the following contact information is provided.
Lime (scooters with green detail or red bikes with green detail)
- Website: https://www.li.me/electric-scooter
- Customer Service Phone Number: 1-888-546-3345
- Customer Service Email Address: support@li.me
- Issue Reporting Form: https://help.li.me/hc/en-us,
click “Submit a Request” in the top right corner
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Ride responsibly and follow the law+-
A refresher on Lakewood bicycle/scooter laws is available by clicking here. In short, when riding a scooter or bike, remember to:
- Riding with a helmet is highly recommended.
- Ride in the bike lane or as near to the right side of the travel lane as practicable.
- Obey all traffic rules, signals, signs, and other control devices.
- Avoid riding on sidewalks unless moving directly to an appropriate parking area.
- Park in an appropriate area that does not obstruct pedestrian traffic, ramps, building entrances, or transit stops.
Chapter 373 of the City’s Traffic Code is available by clicking here.
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Bike/Scooter Share Stations+-
The following locations will have temporary marked stations for parking and routine vendor rebalancing of shared bikes and scooters. A map of the stations is available by clicking here:
- Lakewood Park
- Cove & Edgewater
- Graber & Detroit
- Edwards Park
- Arthur & Detroit
- Bunts & Detroit
- Newman & Detroit
- Wagar Park
- Arthur & Madison
- Wyandotte & Madison
- Madison Park
- Lark & Madison
Click here to view an example copy of the County’s Bike & Scooter Share Vendor Licensing Rules and Regulations.
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Frequently Asked Questions+-
What are all these scooters and bikes doing on the sidewalk?
These scooters and bikes belong to private companies and are available for the public to rent for short rides around the city. They are designed to be parked on the sidewalk, and lock to themselves rather than to a bike rack. They are also sometimes called “shared mobility devices” or a “dockless” bike & scooter share.
What are the green and white boxes in certain areas of the city?
These temporary boxes designate preferred parking locations (stations) for these scooters and bikes during this pilot. Having designated parking stations helps to keep the scooters and bikes organized and limits clutter. Depending on demand/use, more parking areas may be marked over time.
Where can dockless scooters and bikes be parked?
Users get an incentive from the company for parking in designated parking locations (the green/white boxes), but they can also park the scooter or bike in any appropriate/responsible location such as an existing bike rack or corral or on the sidewalk where the device does not obstruct pedestrian traffic, ramps, building entrances, or transit stops. Scooters and bikes should never be parked in the roadway and should always be left standing upright.
There is a scooter parked in the wrong place. What should I do?
Call the vendor. Each scooter and bike has a vendor logo, 24-hour customer service phone number, and device ID number. Call the phone number on the bike or scooter and report your issue. If the issue is not addressed within 2 hours after reported to vendor or is causing an immediate safety concern, call the Police non-emergency line (216-521-6773) and report it to the City.
Where are people supposed to ride scooters and bikes?
Scooters and bikes should be ridden in the street as near to the right side of the travel lane as practicable while obeying all traffic rules, signals, signs, and other control devices. Use bike lanes when possible. Do not ride on the sidewalk.
How should I drive my car when there are people on scooters and bikes on the road with me?
Share the road. People riding scooters and bikes are allowed on the road. While they will likely use bike lanes where available, bike and scooter riders can be in the travel lane to be visible and to avoid road hazards. Slow down and drive with caution.
Drivers may pass people on scooters and bikes if they leave at least three feet between the motor vehicle and the rider. This is state law. Where possible, change lanes to pass. You may cross a double yellow line to pass as long as you safely yield to oncoming traffic. Make sure you are safely ahead of the rider before merging back into the right lane. If there is not room to pass safely, follow behind at a safe distance until you can pass.
How do I use the scooters and bikes? How much do they cost? What if I don’t have a smartphone or credit card?
You can use the scooters and bikes by downloading the vendor’s application on your smartphone and setting up an account. The application will walk you through what to do. The exact pricing depends on the company.
Every company permitted to operate offers access options for people without smartphones or credit cards. The companies also have discount programs for low-income riders.
Why is the City allowing this?
The City is conducting this pilot – joining other communities within Cuyahoga County – to make these shared e-scooters and e-bikes available to provide an alternative transportation option for short trips, first/last mile to mass transit, and recreation. For residents who don’t have access to a personal vehicle, scooters and bikes are a useful transportation option.
