SPOKANE, Wash. – Lime scooters will remain on Spokane’s streets throughout the winter for the first time, as confirmed by the company and the city.
According to a statement sent to us from Lime Spokane Operations Manager Ray Clark, Lime announced the decision after seeing strong ridership late last year, and with weather permitting, Lime will continue to operate its fleet in downtown Spokane. The fleet size will depend on conditions, and riders will receive new in-app safety reminders.
Cory Davis, a local cyclist, expressed his support for the move.
“That’s fantastic. I love the idea of more options for people to get around. It’s pretty inexpensive. It’s easy to use. There’s lots of bike lanes that make it feel safe. And so I like it. I think it’s great,” Davis said.
The city of Spokane confirmed that Lime’s ability to operate through the winter was already included in its contract. The city assured that the devices would be removed ahead of snow or ice events.
Another statement sent to us from Jon Snyder, Director of Transportation and Sustainability, emphasizes the importance of Lime’s service for residents.
“Lime provides and important transportation option for Spokane residents. We are pleased to see that option is going to be available in the winter as well, just as it is in many other cities. Our system needs a variety of modes year-round get people where they need to go.”
However, not everyone agrees with the decision. Thomas Baker, a long-time downtown resident, shared his concerns.
“Not a good idea. It’s bad enough a lot of people who ride these lame scooters are not being responsible riders. They ride them on the sidewalks. They’re not riding them in the bike paths like they’re supposed to. They’re not following the rules of the city,” Baker said.
The city maintains that keeping scooters on the street offers flexibility for riders throughout the year. They also reminded everyone that safety is a priority when conditions become slick.
