Uber might have convinced us to willingly accept rides from strangers, and to get into driverless cars, but can it talk us into using an electric scooter as a mode of transportation? We’re about to find out, because the rideshare company just partnered with e-scooter startup Lime.
Lime e-scooter rentals work similarly to the bike sharing programs you’ll find throughout the world—with one major difference: Lime is a “dockless” company, which means the bikes and scooters you rent from them can be picked up and dropped off anywhere. While this seems convenient, if you live in city that has a dockless sharing program, you’ve probably seen the bikes and scooters littering the sidewalks, parks, and places they definitely don’t belong. I’ve seen some dumped in rivers and in the middle of the street.
In most cities, e-scooters are subject to the same rules as bicycles, meaning they are not allowed on sidewalks. So, you’ll have to ride them on the street, in a bike line, or on a designated bike trail. Helmet laws vary from city to city, and you’ll have to use your own helmet if you wish to wear one.
Lime’s e-scooters can reach a maximum speed of 14.8 mph, and the scooters have a range of about 20 miles per charge. They currently cost $1 to unlock plus $0.15 per minute to ride. You’ll have to be 18 or older to use one, and you’ll need to have a valid driver’s license.
Once the partnership with Uber officially launches, you’ll be able to unlock your ride in the Uber app in certain cities. It’s unlike calling an Uber in that you’ll have to get yourself to the scooter, first, rather than it coming to you.
Would you try one out?
More from SmarterTravel:
- Tip Your Uber Driver, or Else
- How to Use Uber and Lyft When You Travel
- Are Uber and Lyft Making City Congestion Even Worse?
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