Program updates come on the heels of successful pilot program for electric scooters.

The City of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) today announced updates to its Dockless Mobility Program, better known as the “e-scooter” program. These updates, which were based on the results of a successful pilot program, will be adopted on a permanent basis and include: Selection of two e-scooter vendors: Following a Request For Proposal (RFP) from the City that drew submissions from six scooter companies, vendors Bird and Lime have been awarded contracts to operate the e-scooters throughout Downtown. The contracts will remain in effect for two years with authorization for one two-year renewal.  Broader geofencing boundaries: With an expanded geography, pedestrians are now able to rent and ride e-scooters in Brooklyn on the Northbank, across the St. Johns River and into the Southbank. Rules of operation: The program’s hours and operational limits have been adjusted in partnership with fellow City departments to reflect lessons learned during the pilot program, and to promote safe enjoyment of the program for all participants: Hours of operations: 5 a.m. – midnight Top motor-powered speed of 10 miles per hour when operating on a sidewalk Top motor-powered speed of 15 miles per hour when operating in the right-of-way All riders are encouraged to wear a helmet when operating an electric scooter Riders under 16 must wear a helmet when operating an electric scooter Data from the pilot program indicate that the launch of the program contributed positively to the overall vibrancy of Downtown Jacksonville. Since the pilot program launched in March 2021 until August 2022, the DIA saw nearly 150,000 rides across all vendors, benefiting residents, customers and business owners alike. “The launch of the e-scooter program has undoubtedly become another step toward expanding mobility options for Downtown residents, workers and visitors — especially as a ‘last mile’ solution to quickly navigate the neighborhood,” said Lori Boyer, CEO of the DIA. “E-scooters have emerged across the country as a healthy, viable and environmentally sustainable transportation alternative. We are excited to continue the program in Downtown Jacksonville through our partnership with electric bike and scooter companies Bird and Lime.” All equipment can be rented and dropped off at designated, geofenced corrals between 5 a.m. - midnight. To ride with Bird and Lime, users pay $1 to unlock plus a per-minute fee of $0.49. To learn more about the City of Jacksonville’s e-scooter program, visit http://dia.coj.net/escooters.     About the Downtown Investment Authority: The Downtown Investment Authority is the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Economic Development arm of the City for Downtown Jacksonville. Guided by a nine-member board of directors, the DIA seeks to attract investment, facilitate job creation and increase residential density through capital investments, planning, marketing and public-private partnerships including the provision of incentives for the general community and Downtown stakeholders. For more information, visit https://dia.coj.net/ and https://investdtjax.com/.   About Bird: Bird is an electric vehicle company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation solutions such as e-scooters and e-bikes to communities across the world. Founded in 2017 by transportation pioneer Travis VanderZanden, Bird is rapidly expanding. Today, Bird has facilitated over 175 million rides on Bird vehicles through its ride-sharing business and makes its products available for purchase at www.bird.co and via leading retailers and distribution partners. Bird partners closely with the cities in which it operates to provide a reliable and affordable transportation option for people who live and work there.   About Lime: Lime's mission is to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable, and carbon-free. As the world's largest provider of shared electric vehicles, Lime partners with cities to deploy electric bikes and scooters to serve any trip under five miles. One of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential Companies in 2021, Lime has powered more than 400 million rides in nearly 250 cities across five continents, spurring a new generation of clean alternatives to car ownership. Learn more at li.me.