'Lime Patrol' introduced to counter e-scooter issues with parking, safety

Since their introduction in the summer of 2019, Calgarianshave enjoyed an enthusiastic relationship with e-scooters in fact, the city says itse-scooter pilot programsaw nearly 10,000 trips per day last August.

But the local scooter experience has not been without its challenges.

Calgarians have sustained injurieswhile operating them, and complaints havesurfaced about scooters left in the middle of sidewalks and pathways.

To combat these issues, scooter rental companyLimeisintroducing Lime Patrolateam of ambassadors who will frequent high-use areas like Eau Claire to educate riders on safety and parking.

"We've seen incredible demand, but we also need to make sure that we're being responsive to the challenges, and we're not perfect yet," said MikeMarkevich, Lime's general manager in Calgary.

"It's our job to accelerate the etiquette [and by]bringing a physical presence, we'll see people more and more park correctly, park smartlyand ride in the correct areas."

According to Markevich, about one per cent of users park their scooters incorrectly.

Thatpercentage seems small, he said, until the city's substantial ridership is taken into account.

"One per cent of a lot is still something, and we know that it's really important for the cityas well as Lime to make sure that our scooters are parked correctly [and] safely."

In-app instructions andcity stalls help streamline service

The company said in a press releasethatcities withLime Patrol including Paris, Los Angeles, California and Spokane have reported considerable drops in scooter parking complaints.

And if you're worried about getting a lecture from the representatives for making a scooter mistake,don't fret,Markevichsaid.

"These are ambassadors;this is a courteous team," Markevichsaid.

"I think there's just a lack of familiarity and education, and nobody here is being malicious. Nobody is intentionally trying to block a sidewalk."

Combined with in-app notifications that teach e-scooter users how to park properly and ride safely,Markevichsaid he hopes Lime Patrol will make a difference for riders and pedestriansalike.

"We know our sidewalks are incredibly important, they are shared by [scooter] users and non-users," he said.

"It's our job to make sure that this new technology is being used responsibly."

The City of Calgary has repurposedformer Car2Go stalls as parking for e-scooters andcreated designated parking spots painted on sidewalks.

Markevichsaid these are ways tofinesse theservice that keepsCalgarians zipping around the city in the summer.

And during COVID-19, he said, scooters are an especially valuable service because they are open-air, single-occupancyand affordable.

"We're seen such a huge popularity and demand in Calgary," Markevichsaid.

"We lead the world in trips per scooter, which is just a testament to, I think, the commitment fromstaff across the city, [and] a testament to the ridership."