Minneapolis approves launch of 2020 scooter program

The city of Minneapolis announced Thursday that it has approved the launch of the 2020 scooter program.

The city said it entered into an agreement with two operators — Bird and Lyft.

Scooter riders must follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists, according to state law. Scooters also can’t be ridden on sidewalks.

This year, scooters will have to be locked to a public bike rack or municipal signpost (with the exception of bus stop and stop signs), or parked in a designated scooter parking zone when not in use.

The number of scooters in the city is capped at 2,500, divided evenly among the operators. A maximum of 1,000 scooters are allowed downtown and in surrounding neighborhoods, while at least 750 must be in areas of concentrated poverty in north, northeast and south Minneapolis, the city said.

The program runs through March 31, 2021.

The St. Paul City Council approved the return of the scooters earlier this month. They will be in the city until Nov. 30.

You can find more on the program here.