The weather is reaching summertime temps which means you’re likely seeing more scooters and bikes around Laramie. As the City of Laramie partners with Bird for scooter provisions, we want to remind residents to scoot (and bike) safely around town, while respecting City and private property.

The City of Laramie is proud to offer residents an affordable and convenient means of transportation through the use of electric scooters. Scooters not only help reduce carbon emissions, but they also relieve traffic congestion on roadways, provide a safe means of transportation, and offer residents without cars an option to commute around town. Did you know that Bird offers free rides for healthcare workers and emergency personnel? They also offer community pricing programs, which provides discounts to low-income riders, veterans, senior citizens and select nonprofit and community groups.

With these benefits in mind, the City of Laramie also recognizes concerns from residents regarding electric scooters being left in yards, driveways, and sidewalks. To ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of micro mobility options like scooters, here are a few safety tips and reminders to keep in mind (no matter if you’re seasoned pro or thinking of hopping on for the first time):

• Scooters are required to be used on roads and in bike lanes (avoid sidewalks).
• Scooters must be parked out of the way of pedestrians and must never block driveways, ADA ramps, building entrances or other areas that are heavily used by pedestrians.
• Scooters should be left upright and not tipped on their sides.
• Riders are required to be 18 years-old and older to access the scooters.
• With a maximum speed of 15 mph, users are encouraged to wear a helmet on every ride.
• Scooterists are required to obey all standard rules of the road.

Though the City does not manage the scooters, they greatly encourage anyone to report a parking problem or any other issue with scooters. Bird scooter systems rely on local “fleet managers” who manage the scooters in the area by charging them and organizing parking arrangements. These “fleet managers” are charged with reducing the number of scooters seen lying in yards or blocking pathways. To report an issue with Bird, email the company’s customer support team at hello@bird.comor call 866-205-2442. People can also report issues by pressing the triangle icon in the bottom left corner of the Bird app.

Additionally, always be aware and courteous of other micro mobility users around Laramie, including cyclists. As several Laramie residents use bikes to get around town, it’s imperative that drivers are aware of cyclists and scooterists and follow traffic laws. Cyclists do not belong on sidewalks; they are to be riding on the streets or in bike lanes, so remember to share the road. With this in mind, drivers can help keep Laramie a safe place for micro mobility by adhering to speed limits, giving cyclists and scooterists room, yielding when required, checking all surroundings, and understanding that cyclists and scooterists have the same traffic rights and responsibilities as vehicles.

The City of Laramie is also currently working out a possible partnership with Lime Scooters as an additional scooter option for Laramie residents and visitors. Lime is currently working on procuring a viable facility for operations in Laramie for onsite operation and management. Please stay tuned for further details and a launch date.

The City of Laramie would like to recognize the volunteers on the traffic safety commission for helping keep our roads safe and functional. They advise residents to contact the City Manager’s Office at (307) 721-5226 for questions regarding micro mobility.