Lyft Shifting to Docked E-Scooters

After failing to deliver on promises of frictionless, free shared mobility, the operator will begin docking its scooters at stations to reduce sidewalk obstructions and eliminate the need to collect scooters for recharging.

1 minute read

February 6, 2023, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Low close-up shot of black and pink Lyft e-scooters lined up on downtown Los Angeles sidewalk

Matt Gush / Lyft e-scooters

After years of tension with cities, Lyft is planning to dock its fleet of electric scooters, which are frequently blamed for creating sidewalk clutter and obstructing walkways thanks to their ability to be parked anywhere. Sri Taylor and Sarah Holder report on the company’s plan for Bloomberg CityLab.

As Taylor and Holder explain, “The company oversees several municipal bikeshare programs, including New York City’s Citi Bike; according to Techcrunch, it has 100,000 bike docks that could be converted to the scooter-friendly option.” After the company launched a pilot docking program in Chicago last May, Lyft says the city’s shared mobility program, Divvy, saw increased ridership for both bikes and scooters. “It could also make rebalancing fleets easier for operators, help users predictably locate available wheels and facilitate coordination with public transit services.”

Free-floating scooters also must be recharged by taking them back to operations centers. “The company estimates that bringing in-dock power to 20% of a city’s station network can reduce drive-by battery swaps by 90%, and reduce the vehicle miles traveled to do it by 75%.”

Lyft plans to roll out a system of 1,000 next-gen docked scooters in Washington, D.C. this month.

Friday, February 3, 2023 in Bloomberg CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today