Shared E-Scooters and E-Bikes

Providing shared e-scooters citywide is informed by data from the successful e-scooter pilot program in parts of East Boulder, Gunbarrel and CU Boulder's East Campus. The citywide expansion follows an iterative, phased approach, and will be monitored closely by city staff.

The pilot evaluation, which included community engagement, showed that shared e-scooters help to reduce traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, increase mobility options and serve as first- and final-mile connections to public transportation. Program changes were broadly supported by Boulder City Council, boards and commissions and stakeholders.

Learn more on Shared E-scooter Insights: 5 Key Community Takeaways.

Lime uses tools geared toward safe use of e-scooters, including location-based technology, that will automatically:

• Limit e-scooter speeds in slow zones
• Prevent e-scooters from operating in no-go zones
• Require parking in designated Lime Groves within the city’s busiest areas

E-scooter misuse should be reported directly to Lime. Contact information is posted on all Lime e-scooters. Lime will respond to reports within two hours.

Use the Lime app to find available e-scooters.

Lime e-scooters can be ridden in East Boulder, east of 28th Street and south of Jay Road, including on CU Boulder’s East Campus and at Williams Village.

Beginning in August 2023, community members can use shared e-scooters across the city.

E-scooters will shut down in areas they are not allowed in. These no-go zones include places like trails and cemeteries.

These zones support the safe use of e-scooters through location-based technology that automatically:

• Limits e-scooter speeds in slow zones. For example, on 13th Street on University Hill and streets downtown that intersect the Pearl Street Mall.
• Prevents e-scooters from operating in no-go zones. For example, Pearl Street Mall, cemeteries and ball fields.
• Requires parking in designated Lime Groves within the city’s busiest areas. For example, Downtown Boulder, on University Hill and within the CU Boulder campus.

E-scooters can be ridden on bike lanes and multi-use paths. E-scooters are not allowed on OSMP trails, including paved multi-use trails.

No bike lane or multi-use path?

• If the speed limit of the road is 25 mph or above, e-scooters can be used on sidewalks.
• If the speed limit of the road is under 25 MPH, e-scooters cannot be used on sidewalks.

Follow all rules of the road, travel with caution if allowed on sidewalks, use the bell when passing others and always yield to pedestrians.

Yes. All e-scooter users must follow traffic laws. E-scooter users may also use the Safety Stop.

Always travel with traffic, never against traffic.

The city and Lime are conducting a six-month pilot program from July to December 2024 for removing the curfew for shared e-scooters. The intention is to allow for transportation options around the clock for community members and visitors and to understand the transportation needs of people using this travel mode.

Community members must be 18 or older to sign up to ride.

E-scooters can be parked upright on sidewalks, near bike racks or near curbs. E-scooters can also be parked on sidewalks — just make sure to leave space for your neighbors walking and rolling by, including enough space for a thirty-six-inch-wide wheelchair to pass through (B.R.C. 5-3-5). Park responsibly – don't block pedestrian walkways, crosswalks, car doors, bus stops or sidewalk ramps.

Lime trips ending on CU Boulder properties, downtown Boulder, and University Hill must be parked in mandatory parking corrals as shown in the Lime app.

No.

The e-scooters have a top speed of 15 mph.

Lime analyzed e-scooter trips between March 2019 and February 2020 and found that 99.9% of these Lime e-scooter trips were incident-free, with riders not reporting a single injury. That means 1 out of every 1.1 million rides resulted in severe injury or fatality.

Remember these safety tips:

• Always wear a helmet. Lime offers helmet discounts.

• Follow traffic laws

• Use the bell when passing on the left

• Signal turns with your hand, if possible

• Always yield to pedestrians

• Be 18+ years old to ride

• Ride predictably and defensively

• Ride solo and sober

• Be aware of potholes, puddles and uneven surfaces

Learn more about how to use a Lime scooter safely.

Safety is a priority for the shared e-scooter program. The city and its partners are taking the following steps to promote safe e-scooter use:

• The e-scooters will be deployed in zones that allow for clear, unobstructed passage of pedestrians on/near sidewalks and in commercial areas and that do not impede Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility or the boarding or departure of transit users.
• The e-scooters are geofenced, meaning they have automatic functions based on location, including to limit speeds, manage parking and shut down e-scooters when used in no-go zones or outside of city limits.
• E-scooter have a speed limit of 15 mph in most areas, with lower maximum speeds in slow zones.
• E-scooters can only be used from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., except for on CU Boulder property.
• Lime is required to collect all e-scooters and replace them at deployment zones daily.
• For first-time riders, Lime e-scooters automatically start with Lime’s Training Mode, a feature designed to make the first ride safer, smoother and more comfortable. Training Mode reduces maximum speed to just 8 miles per hour, so riders can get a feel for using e-scooters at a comfortable speed.
• For first-time riders, local rules will automatically appear on the Lime app before their ride.

• Riders are encouraged to always wear a helmet. Lime provides discounted helmets.

• $1 unlock and $0.42 per minute.
• If you qualify for Lime Access, Lime's income-qualified program, rides of 30 minutes or less are free.

Yes.

• Lime Access provides free rides of 30 minutes or less for income-qualified riders, as well as access to Lime e-scooters for people without smartphones or credit cards.
• Lime Assist offers adaptive e-scooters for people experiencing disabilities.

E-scooters can help Boulder reach its transportation goals to reduce vehicle trips and greenhouse gases by making it easier to get around without a car, especially for short trips. In September 2020, Boulder City Council voted to allow a dockless e-scooter company to operate in the city. In March 2021, the city issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for operators and selected Lime. Bid requests were reviewed by the city, CU Boulder and Boulder County for alignment with community goals.

The number of scooters is regulated based on demand. With citywide expansion, projected demand will increase proportionately to meet the community’s needs.

If it is not an emergency, such as if you are not injured, call the Boulder Police non-emergency line: 303-441-3333.

If you are injured, call 911 (if calling from a cell phone on CU’s campus tell the dispatcher that you are on campus so CU Police Department can be dispatched). Any incident that involves actual physical contact or injury should be reported to CU Police Department if on campus, or Boulder Police. Please also report your crash or injury with Lime. Submit a report online or call 1-888-546-3345.