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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.