Chicagoan E-Scooters: The New West Side Story
What Just Happened?
Before leaving office in May, Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel assured that the planned deployment of an entire fleet of electric scooters would push through, even in his absence. These sleek vehicles have become a new way to zip across neighborhoods, turning heads and sparking conversations about convenience, safety, and law.
When the city launched its pilot program, thousands of riders jumped on scooters during the very first weekend. That burst of interest showed how quickly Chicagoans embrace new mobility options. Yet it also raised big questions. How do scooters fit into the flow of city streets? What rules keep riders safe and prevent sidewalks from becoming cluttered?
Why Chicago Electric Scooter Regulations Matter
Every new form of transportation faces a crossroads between freedom and responsibility. Scooters offer affordability and speed, but they also pose risks when riders ignore traffic laws or companies fail to manage their fleets responsibly. Chicago set ground rules to prevent accidents, reduce conflicts with pedestrians, and keep scooters from adding chaos to already busy roads.
These regulations create boundaries that shape the experience for both riders and residents. Knowing them is necessary if you plan to use an electric scooter in the city.
The Key Rules for Riders
Speed Limits Keep the Ride in Check
Chicago capped scooters at 15 miles per hour. This speed is fast enough to cover ground quickly but slow enough to reduce the risk of serious injuries. Penalties for exceeding this limit will likely involve fines that increase with each subsequent violation.
Scooters Stay on the Streets
Unlike some cities that allow limited sidewalk riding, Chicago banned scooters from sidewalks altogether. The goal is simple: protect pedestrians and keep walkways clear. Riders must use designated streets or bike lanes instead.
Age Restrictions Promote Safer Habits
Scooter access is limited to adults 18 and older. Sixteen-year-olds can ride with the consent of a parent or guardian. Younger riders often lack experience handling traffic, so this rule reduces risky behavior that endangers both riders and pedestrians.
Curfew Hours Define When You Can Ride
Scooter use runs from 5 AM to 10 PM. After hours, riding is prohibited. This reduces late-night accidents, especially those tied to poor visibility or impaired judgment.
Parking Rules Keep Order on Sidewalks
Scooters must be parked upright with at least six feet of clearance on sidewalks. Riders cannot leave them at bus stops, building entrances, or corners. Chicago modeled this rule after bicycle parking to prevent clutter and blocked pathways.
Boundaries Keep the Pilot Controlled
The pilot program runs in a 50-square-mile zone on the West Side. Halsted Street marks the east border, Harlem Avenue the west, Irving Park Road the north, and the Chicago River the south. Keeping scooters inside these limits allows the city to monitor usage and gather data before expanding.
Scooter Companies
A total of 10 scooter companies are participating in the four-month pilot. Here’s a closer look at each of them:
Bird
Bird is a California-based scooter company that was founded in September 2017. The founder of the company is none other than Travis VanderZanden, who was formerly an executive at both Lyft and Uber.
Each round of funding went rather well for the company, raising $15 million in Series A, $100 million in Series B, and $300 million in Series C.
In the two years since its conception, Bird has expanded its reach to Austria, Belgium, France, Israel, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.
Bolt
Bolt, formerly Taxify, is a company based in Estonia that got its start as an Uber-like app helping its users find taxis and private drivers.
It has since expanded into the electric scooter industry and will be participating in the Chicago pilot. Bolt currently operates in 50 cities across Europe, Africa, West Asia, North America, and Australia. The company has 25 million users, according to TechCrunch.
grüv
grüv is a newer company that’s putting its own unique spin on the electric scooter business model. The app offers a monthly subscription for $5, which offers 30 minutes of daily riding time.
The Chicago pilot is grüv’s first time operating under live conditions, but it hopes that the Netflix-esque business model will bring it to new heights.
According to the grüv website, the company plans to begin operating in Oakland, California, as well.
VeoRide
Upon first glance, VeoRide may seem like just another electric scooter company looking to throw its hat in the ring. However, it’s unique in that it targets students and campuses specifically.
Furthermore, VeoRide is the only company on this list that’s actually based in Chicago, which will surely boost its local support from the Chicagoan population.
Another feature that VeoRide boasts is the fact that the app shows you where available scooters are, as well as where you should park to avoid being a nuisance. It generally costs around $1 million for campuses to implement VeoRide scooters and bikes.
Wheels
Wheels was founded by Joshua and Jonathan Viner, the same entrepreneurial brothers who founded the popular dog-walking app Wag.
The brothers recently left their operation roles at Wag to focus on Wheels, but not before raising $400 million for the former. They seek to stomp out the competition by offering music-playing capabilities on their vehicles as well as a secret weapon: seats.
The company has gotten media buzz due to their hiring of former Uber executive Marco McCottry and former Lyft Director of Product Ben Shaken. The Viner brothers are clearly keeping their friends close and their enemies even closer.
Spin
Spin is yet another electric scooter brand trying to make its mark. The company is owned by Ford — yes, that Ford — and based in San Francisco. Ford acquired Spin for $100 million in November 2018.
It got media attention recently upon partnering with Swiftmile to set up solar-powered docking stations in Michigan and Washington, DC. The docking stations are only compatible with Spin scooters, increasing the appeal for those who want to go green.
Thus, one can imagine that Spin and Swiftmile have similar plans for Chicago, provided that the pilot goes well.
Sherpa
Perhaps one of the most elusive and mysterious companies on the lot (pun intended) is Sherpa. Beyond a 14-year-old article on Sherpa’s thousand-dollar electric bike, the company has no visible online presence.
JUMP
JUMP, formerly Social Bicycles, is a company that got its start in the electric bicycle industry, as opposed to scooters. It was acquired by Uber for $200 million on April 9, 2018.
Its line of electric scooters first rolled out in October of 2018, using Santa Monica as ground zero, and has since been working on extending its reach.
Lyft
And, of course, where Uber goes, Lyft soon follows. Though it’s worth noting that Lyft actually beat Uber/JUMP to the punch on this one, seeing as they rolled out their electric scooters a month earlier in September of 2018, using Denver as their launching pad.
The company faced some controversy recently after a glitch allowed users to go upwards of 20 miles per hour, while most cities have speed limits set at 15. Skip (who will not be participating in the Chicago demo) and Bird were also implicated in the speed glitch.
Despite the mishaps, there are no apparent plans to postpone or cancel the release of Lyft’s own electric scooter, and we have a hunch that Uber will soon follow suit.
Lime
Lime was the first scooter company to set foot, or rather, wheel, on Chicago streets during its test drive last year.
The company has recently been under public criticism due to the death of 26-year-old Brady Gaulke, who had twice the legal alcohol limit in his system at the time of the crash.
Due to the intoxication of Gaulke, the company was not held liable, though the incident still led to the end of Nashville’s scooter pilot by Mayor Briley.
One can only hope that no such incidents occur in Chicago, but if a crash does occur, who’s liable?
Liability and Safety Concerns
In the overwhelming majority of cases, the rider of the scooter is liable for any injuries they sustain during the ride. The same holds true for any property damage or injuries that they cause during the ride.
This may seem unfair, but the same system has been in place for car rental companies, so why should things be any different with scooters?
Trying to pin blame on scooter companies would be rather tricky in any case due to the fact that most incidents are the result of user error, disregard for city regulations, or violation of traffic laws.
Some incidents are even the result of users riding an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
The only instance in which the scooter companies would be held liable for injuries or property damage is if they make defective or improperly maintained scooters available to the public.
Unlike with rideshare accidents, companies don’t provide any liability coverage for crashes involving their e-scooters.
All that being said, the scooter companies may still offer limited compensation for injuries and other damages in the interest of staying in good standing with the city council and ensuring that they can operate within Chicago beyond the four-month pilot.
Accidents Happen: Here’s What Riders Should Know
Scooters may be convenient, but they share the road with cars, bikes, and pedestrians. Accidents often occur when riders disregard traffic laws, ride under the influence, or fail to comply with city regulations.
If you are injured in a scooter crash, the path forward can feel overwhelming. Medical bills, lost work time, and questions of fault quickly pile up. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation. In some cases, a workers’ compensation lawyer may also help if the accident happens while on the job.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a scooter accident, don’t wait for answers. The legal system is complex, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Reach out to us for guidance and the support you need to protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s take the next step together.