The E-Scooter Pilot Program will expand across all of the East Bronx later this year. Image Credit: NYC DOT.
Over 480,000 trips have been taken since the program launched last August. On March 24, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that the E-Scooter pilot program which brought e-scooters to parts of the East Bronx last year will expand the pilot program to more neighborhoods across the East Bronx. Through the program, e-scooters from Lime, Bird and Veo are available to rent as an alternative form of transportation.
In Phase 1 of the program, the program was limited to neighborhoods in the north and east Bronx, including Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Allerton, Baychester, Co-Op City, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Gardens, Morris Park, and Van Nest but stopped at East Tremont Avenue. Use of the e-scooters was restricted to this region. Since the program launched last August, over 480,000 trips have been taken without any deaths or serious injuries. For CityLand’s prior coverage of the pilot program, click here.
Phase 2 of the program will expand the pilot area southward to include Parkchester, Castle Hill, Country Club, Throggs Neck, Soundview and Clason Point. DOT is working with the companies to double the number of available scooters from 3,000 to 6,000.
The companies also provide in-person safety and outreach training and demonstrations in partnerships with local BIDs, community associations, and NYCHA tenant associations. Safety features including “beginner modes” that speed-limit a rider’s first three rides, in-app safety training and age verification are included.
DOT has also increased bike infrastructure in the East Bronx. Bike lanes have been installed on White Plains Road and 233rd Street. Throughout Phase 2, ten miles of conventional lanes will be installed, more bicycle infrastructure will be installed along Eastchester Road, Bronxdale Avenue, bike lanes will be extended along White Plains Road, and protected bike lanes will be installed in Throggs Neck.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated, “This administration is committed to reducing our dependency on automobiles and more equitably delivering services across the five boroughs. Our e-scooter pilot in the Bronx has been a remarkable success and we’re excited to bring it to even more residents in need of alternate forms of transportation. We thank our pilot partners Bird, Lime, and Veo, for sharing our values of safety, affordability, and accessibility.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)