Two E-Scooter Vendors Launch Locally

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two companies are launching shared electric scooter operations on the University of Arkansas campus and across Fayetteville. The two companies — Lime and Spin — will allow individuals to rent e-scooters through a phone app, in much the same way that the VeoRide bike share program currently works on campus.

Electronic scooters can be ridden legally anywhere bicycles are allowed, and like bicyclists, scooter riders must always yield to pedestrians. Electric scooters are capable of speeds up to 15 mph, but can be set to automatically slow down in specified zones as deemed necessary for safety. Slow zones have been set in some areas of campus with heavy pedestrian traffic.

The use of e-scooters will be monitored and enforced by the city, university, and the companies that provide e-scooter sharing.

U of A Transit and Parking provides detailed online rules and regulations for the use of the e-scooters in Chapter 6 of its parking and traffic regulations. The regulations match those of the city of Fayetteville, so that users of e-scooters can abide by the same set of rules on or off campus.

As e-scooters become more widely used on campus, Transit and Parking will emphasize the following guidelines:

• E-scooter operators must always yield to pedestrian traffic.
• Once a ride is completed, the e-scooter will have to be parked near a bike rack. The companies will require that this is photographed and submitted via smart phone before the operator may officially end the ride.
• No e-scooter may be re-charged anywhere on campus or in any building on campus.
• No e-scooter may be operated within any building on campus.
• As with bicycles or with motorized scooters, helmets and other safety equipment should be utilized.
• Safety, respect and responsibility will always be stressed as a part of operating an e-scooter on campus or anywhere within Fayetteville.

Lime and Spin offer additional details online including information about rates and how to ride e-scooters.   

The Arkansas General Assembly passed the Electric Motorized Scooter Act in July 2019. In accordance with that legislation, the city staff and City Council created and passed an ordinance that establishes regulations for use of motorized e-scooters within the city, as well as requirements for scooter-share vendors.

The city of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas have been working in tandem to approve and issue vendor permits. Scooter-share companies must hold a valid city permit in order to acquire a permit approved by the university. Companies must renew their permits every six months to comply with local and state regulations.

The city's ordinance allows for 250 e-scooters per vendor with a total cap of 500 e-scooters.