Dockless Bike Share & Electric Scooters Are Coming to Philadelphia: What You Need to Know About Bird & Lime Rides

After three years as Philly’s sole bike-share program, it looks as though Indego will soon be joined by bike- and scooter-share competitors, the likes of which may include Bird, Limebike, and Spin. In June, a bill passed City council to regulate and license dockless electric scooters, bike share, and pedal-assist bicycles. What will this mean for the city of Philadelphia, and for residents and visitors who wish to utilize the new system? Read on to find out.

How Dockless Bike & Scooter Share Works

In the coming months, Philadelphia’s City of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems will be tasked with finalizing the licensing requirements that will ultimately regulate the city’s dockless bike share program. If everything goes according to plan, the city should be stocked with self-locking bikes and electric scooters by spring of 2019.

Because dockless systems operate differently than their Indego counterpart, which is a dock-based system, we must consider several “new” components to how the program will work:  

  • Many dockless bikes and scooters are self-locking, which means the wheels will automatically lock when not in use.
  • Going dockless means riders won’t be required to pick up or return their bicycles and scooters at pre-designated locations.
  • Riders will utilize a smartphone app to find available bikes and scooters in their area, and then unlock them.

While these sound like major selling points, we can’t discount the inherent drawbacks that come with this system. For starters, without fixed docking stations, there’s potential for the bikes and scooters to be left anywhere (and everywhere!). If abandoned in the middle of the street or piled up on a crowded sidewalk, the leftover bikes and scooters could easily create hazards for unsuspecting pedestrians and drivers. Furthermore, where the bikes and scooters are ridden could potentially endanger both riders and nearby passersby, as the city was not built with dockless modes of transportation in mind. This means that the design of some areas of Philadelphia might be risky to ride in!

Representation for Victims of Bird and Lime Scooter Accidents in Philadelphia

At Kwartler Manus, LLC, we care about maintaining the safety of our city and protecting the residents who live in it. We’ve watched as dockless bike and scooter programs have cropped up across the U.S., and we’ve prepared our practice for similar cases as those seen in San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.

While these programs provide a great opportunity for sightseeing and outdoor adventure, we must be ready for the potential dangers they present as well. If you or someone you love is injured in a bike or scooter accident involving any of the following, do not wait to contact us for help:

  • Rider struck by car
  • Pedestrian struck by rider
  • Tripping over an abandoned bike or scooter
  • Electric scooter defect
  • Self-locking wheel malfunction

We can help victims seek damages to cover the cost of: medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and noneconomic damages.

We’re available 24/7 to take your call. Contact us today at (267) 457-5570, or request a free consultation here.  

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