Scooter Heaven Or Scooter Hell? Chicagoans Decide

Within three days of its start on Saturday, June 15, 2019, Chicago’s first e-scooter rental program logged more than 11,000 rides, according to city officials.
Within three days of its start on Saturday, June 15, 2019, Chicago’s first e-scooter rental program logged more than 11,000 rides, according to city officials. Mariah Woelfel/WBEZ
Within three days of its start on Saturday, June 15, 2019, Chicago’s first e-scooter rental program logged more than 11,000 rides, according to city officials.
Within three days of its start on Saturday, June 15, 2019, Chicago’s first e-scooter rental program logged more than 11,000 rides, according to city officials. Mariah Woelfel/WBEZ

Scooter Heaven Or Scooter Hell? Chicagoans Decide

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Chicago’s streets outside of the central business district are suddenly swarming with electric scooters.

To the delight of some Chicagoans and consternation of others, the city’s pilot program put 2,500 of the e-scooters on the roads west of Halsted Street.

Residents in need of some wheels logged 11,000 rides in the first weekend and many more since.

Morning Shift checks in on how the program is going so far a week and a half in.

GUEST: John Greenfield, Editor of Streetsblog Chicago

LEARN MORE: No, You Cannot Ride An E-Scooter On The 606 (Block Club Chicago 6/20/19)

Electric Scooter Injuries On The Rise, Less Than A Week Into Chicago’s Pilot Program (ABC 7 6/20/19)

10 Companies To Offer Scooters During Chicago’s Summer Pilot Program (Chicago Tribune 6/11/19)