City of Racine to get electric scooters

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The city of Racine announced Friday, June 4, the first electric scooters will be deployed in the city soon. 

According to a news release, the Racine Common Council recently approved a pilot electric scooter ordinance governing the use of e-scooters for the public from private companies, as well as a license for the company Bird to deploy 100 electric scooters in Racine.

Bird is set to deliver those scooters in the coming days. 

The City of Racine wants to remind residents and guests about the best practices for safely operating these vehicles and the requirements of the ordinance:

• Wear a helmet - using a helmet will prevent most scooter injuries
• Start slow - take a test ride around the block and maintain safe driving speeds
• Plan ahead - know your route and if you have to check your phone, pull over to a safe spot
• Don’t ride on sidewalks – scooters are like bikes, ride in bike lanes on the street, not on sidewalks
• Scoot sober - drinking and scootering is illegal and puts you and others at risk
• Scoot solo - tandem scooting is not permitted - there's not enough room on electric scooters for two people
• Curb your scooter - at the end of a ride, leave the scooter standing up, on the side walk near the curb, and out of the way of pedestrians, wheelchair users, and any type of oncoming traffic
• Scooters are permitted on streets with a speed limit of 35mph or less (the scooters themselves do not go that fast) and only work in the City of Racine
• To report an improperly parked or malfunctioning scooter, please use the company contact number on the scooter, do not contact the City

“We are excited to bring this new transportation option to the City of Racine. Electric scooters are fun, economical, and can help reduce our carbon footprint, but we need our residents and visitors to the City to make sure they follow the rules and use them safely. With summer finally arriving, this is the perfect time for everyone to give them a try,” said Mayor Cory Mason.