City Launches 2025 Shared Bike and Scooter Program
Monday, April 7, 2025 at 3:49PMVia an April 7 announcement from the City of Minneapolis:
The City of Minneapolis has entered into license agreements with Lime and Spin to participate in its Shared Bike and Scooter Program for the 2025 season. Bikes and scooters will be available for rent beginning Monday, April 7.
Licensees this year will pilot year-round operations, as weather and seasonality allows, enabling more opportunities to meet City mode-shift goals. Previously, the program shut down at the end of November and resumed in April. Both companies will have Class 1 pedal assist e-bikes and Class 2 e-bikes. All shared vehicles are restricted to a maximum speed of 15 mph with further speed restrictions in higher pedestrian areas.
State law regulates how bikes and scooters can operate. Remember the rules for riding and parking shared bikes and scooters:
To start your ride:
- Download the operators’ app, complete the sign-up process and begin your rental.
Stay safe when riding:
- Travel close to the edge of the road or in a bike lane
- Wear a helmet
- Yield to pedestrians
- Obey traffic laws
- Signal your turns
- Ride one person per scooter or bike
Riding on roads and streets:
- Ride with traffic, not against it. Travel with the flow of traffic, unless otherwise signed
- Stop at all stoplights and stop signs
- Use a light when riding at night
- Use all lanes and facilities correctly
At the end of your ride:
- End your trip anywhere in the city
- Park upright using the kickstand
- Lock to a public bike rack or municipal signpost except a bus stop sign
- Keep sidewalks, building entrances and pedestrian paths of travel clear and accessible
When driving a vehicle:
- Watch your speed – 20 is plenty
- Watch for bikes, scooters and pedestrians
- Look before you turn
- Yield to pedestrians and bikes
- Bikes can use a full travel lane even if a bike lane is present
- Pass at a safe distance, never less than three feet from a bicycle
- Do not stop or park in bike lanes
- Open doors safely, checking it is safe before opening
Visit the City’s website for more details on the rules for riding bikes and riding scooters.
Equity
Equity and safety continue to be key focus areas for the program. As part of the City’s Equity focused requirements, at least 30% of each operator’s scooters must be distributed in Equity Distribution Areas in north and south Minneapolis and a maximum of 40% of each operator’s scooters are allowed downtown. The remaining 30% are to be distributed in all other neighborhoods.
Beyond the scooter distribution requirements, all three operators are required to have low-income pricing programs for qualified residents. All rides that start in the equity zones will also receive a discount. Information on each low-income access program and instructions on how to sign up are on the City’s website.
As You Go
All of these services support the As You Go MPLS campaign, which encourages people to leave their cars at home and try walking, biking, rolling or taking transit more often. This year, the campaign shares tips on how to get started and reasons why biking can be fun, affordable and stress free. As You Go MPLS supports the City’s Transportation Action Plan, which has a goal of having 60 percent of trips in Minneapolis taken by walking, biking or transit by 2030.
Mobility hubs
Shared bikes and scooters can always be found at one of the City’s mobility hubs, which connect people to several different ways of getting around. This program, which began in 2019 with 12 hubs, now has 60 locations across Minneapolis. Mobility hubs are always on transit lines, such as light rail, bus rapid transit, regular bus service, and Metro Transit’s micro service in north Minneapolis. Some mobility hubs include Hourcar and Evie electric car sharing as well as the EV chargers. Look for “GO” signs at each mobility hub to see what services you’ll find there. Learn more about mobility hubs.
About the Shared Bike and Scooter Program
The Shared Bike and Scooter Program advances the City of Minneapolis’ transportation goals outlined in the Transportation Action Plan, including supporting safe street operations and focusing on human-centered design, removing the barriers of physical ability, geographic placement, language, payment methods, and income as well as sharing data that supports the City’s ongoing transportation planning and operations work.
