Scooter-sharing companies to expand to Detroit neighborhoods

DETROIT (AP) - Electric scooters have been zipping through some parts of Detroit for a few weeks. More could be headed to city neighborhoods.

Updated guidelines are allowing two scooter-sharing companies to expand by adding scooters outside of Detroit’s downtown, Midtown and New Center areas. Bird and Lime each can put 400 scooters instead of 300 on city streets.

Councilman Scott Benson says “in exchange for the ability to generate more revenue,” the companies have to put scooters into neighborhoods.

Benson adds that the scooters are options for some residents without reliable transportation.

The changes follow observations and analysis over 10 weeks that scooter companies have been operating in Detroit. The city says a community advisory board will be established to provide guidance on the goals and outcomes for scooters in Detroit.