What the City Is Doing About Abandoned Scooters

When Alexandria officials said they hope to see birds return to the Four Mile Run wetlands, they weren’t referring to Bird scooters — but yet, there was at least one there, in the water.

Concerns about scooters on sidewalks have dominated the local debate about the personal mobility devices, but the issue of abandoned scooters is nonetheless something with which Alexandria policymakers will have to grapple.

Thank you Vernon for the precise directions, @BirdRide retrieved their device. One less Bird in the water… pic.twitter.com/H38nuqBohF

— Zack Scooter (@mrpresident1776) October 10, 2019

City staff told ALXnow that the role Alexandria plays in the recovery of the scooters is relatively minimal. If scooters are found illegally parked, staff said those who find it should report the scooter to the respective scooter company. If illegally parked scooters are reported to the city, those reports are passed on to their respective company.

Streamlining the reporting process for abandoned scooters is part of the second phase of the scooter pilot program, currently being considered for implementation early next year.

“It’s on companies to retrieve the scooters, not the city,” staff said. “If the companies don’t retrieve the scooters, part of the second pilot program could include pulling that company’s permit, but so far they’ve been cooperative with us.”

Seven companies have been authorized to operate scooters and e-bikes in Alexandria. According to the mobility program’s website, the best way to identify and reporter the scooters is:

• Lime — green and yellow scooters. Can be reported at [email protected] or 888-546-3345
• Lyft — black and purple scooters. Can be reported online
• Jump — red and white scooters and bikes. Can be reported online at 844-505-9155 for scooters or 833-300-6106 for bikes.
• Bird — black and white scooters. Can be reported at [email protected] or 866-205-2442
• Bolt — yellow and black scooters. Can be reported at [email protected] or 866-265-8143
• Skip — blue and yellow scooters. Can be reported at [email protected] or 844-929-2687
• Spin — orange and white scooters. Can be reported at [email protected] or 888-262-5189