Dockless bike and scooter-sharing startup Lime applies to operate in Milwaukee

Companies wishing to operate in Milwaukee can apply anytime through a study that is being done through December 31, 2019.

Lime is the only company to submit an application in the pilot program so far.

During the pilot program, dockless bike and scooter-sharing companies pay a licensing fee to operate within Milwaukee. Lime can set up a base fleet of 250 bikes or 400 if it includes wheel-locking technology or up to 500 if they provide bikes for people who cannot ride on a regular bike.

The City of Milwaukee is currently reviewing Lime's application.

Dockless scooters became a hot topic in Milwaukee last summer when Bird scooters seemingly showed up out of nowhere. Bird never got a permit to operate in the city and the company ceased operations in August. At the time, Bird said it was working with the city to bring the scooters back legally.