Shared Bike and Scooter Program - Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the City of St. Louis Shared Bike and Scooter Program.

1. What is dockless bike and e-scooter share?
2. What is an e-scooter?
3. How many bikes/e-scooters will be in St. Louis?
4. What is the Bike Share Social Equity and Inclusion Target Neighborhoods?
5. How many bikes/e-scooters will be parked in the Bike Share Social Equity and Inclusion Target Neighborhoods?
6. Where can I use bike share bikes and e-scooters?
7. Where do I park the dockless bike sharing bike/e-scooters?
8. Are there helmets available for bikes/e-scooters?
9. Can I check out multiple bikes/e-scooters with one phone
10. Does the bike share and e-scooter program have a discounted or community rate?
11. Do I need to download the app onto my phone to use bike share bikes/e-scooters?
12. Where can I learn more about bicycle education?
13. Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
14. Do I need to download the app onto my phone to use bike share bikes/e-scooters?
15. Where can I go to pay to use the bike share with cash?
16. Where can I learn more about bicycle education?
17. Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

What is dockless bike and e-scooter share?

Dockless bike share or e-scooter share is a network of shared bicycles or scooters available for short-term use. The vehicles are provided by companies operating in the City of St. Louis through a permit.

Dockless bike share or e-scooter share do not use stations like the traditional systems in Chicago or Washington, D.C. Instead, they can be placed anywhere, and you can find the bikes through GPS locators on a smartphone app or by calling a phone number.

What is an e-scooter?

An e-scooter is a battery powered two wheeled vehicle that riders stand on while in use. E-scooters are similar to dockless bike share as they are available for short-term use and can be parked in appropriate locations, but do not have to be returned to a station. You can find the e-scooters through GPS locators on a smart phone or by calling a phone number. The e-scooters can go up to 12 mph.

In the City of St. Louis, users of e-scooters are required to wear a helmet. Users are not allowed to ride them on sidewalks.

How many bikes/e-scooters can be in St. Louis?

Each company with a valid permit is allowed to operate a fleet with a maximum size of 1,500 vehicles. Currently, two companies have permits to operate: Lime and Bird.

What is the Bike Share Social Equity and Inclusion Target Neighborhoods?

The Target Neighborhoods are designated based on a feasibility study done by Great Rivers Greenway in 2014, which mapped out areas with high concentrations of low income households, people of color, households with no access to a vehicle, and non-English speakers.

The neighborhoods with high concentrations of those factors that were also within reasonable biking distance of MetroLink and the urban core of the city were chosen as places that could benefit the most from additional affordable transportation options.

How many bikes/e-scooters will be parked in the Bike Share Social Equity and Inclusion Target Neighborhoods?

Each company is required to park at least 16% of their total bikes/e-scooters within the Target Neighborhoods, and a minimum of 2% in each area.

Where can I use bike share bikes and e-scooters?

Bikes and e-scooters can be used on most streets and paths in the City of St. Louis. Some areas have restrictions on speed, such as certain commercial districts and parks. There are also parking and riding restrictions in some areas. These areas are available to view with the company apps. Bikes and e-scooters are primarily meant to be used on streets and paths, but not sidewalks.

Where do I park the dockless bike sharing bike/e-scooters?

Bikes/e-scooters should be parked outside of the main sidewalk pavement (e.g. the strip of sidewalk between the walking area and the street where you may see parking meters, signs, and trees), and/or when possible at public bike racks. Bikes/e-scooters should be parked to not obstruct people using mobility devices, doorways, driveways, or cars.

Are there helmets available for bikes/e-scooters?

Riders are responsible for providing their own helmets. For e-scooters, St. Louis ordinance requires riders to wear a helmet.

Can I check out multiple bikes/e-scooters with one phone?

Riders may only check out and operate one e-scooter at a time. Each rider of an e-scooter must have their own valid account and check out their own e-scooter.

Do the bike share and e-scooter programs have a discounted or community rate?

Both Lime and Bird have similar discounted community rates for their vehicles. More information, eligibility, and current rates are available here for Lime, and here for Bird.

Do I need to download the app onto my phone to use bike share bikes/e-scooters?

Downloading the app is the easiest way to use bike share bikes/e-scooters, but there is a non-smart phone option as well. Each company will have a number to call or text to unlock the bikes/e-scooters without a smart phone. You can sign up for the non-smart phone option at Limebike or at Bird.

Where can I learn more about bicycle education?

There is information available on Trailnet’s website about confident city cycling skills: https://trailnet.org/education/confident-city-cycling/.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?