Rental scooters roll back into ABQ

Starting Friday, Albuquerque residents will see bright orange rental scooters around the city again. 

The city’s Planning Department announced in a news release that the rental scooter company Spin will begin installing and testing stations throughout Albuquerque Friday. 

Spin did respond to requests for more information by press time. 

The release stated scooter locations can be found on the Spin mobile app. By Friday afternoon, the app showed a handful of available scooters near the University of New Mexico’s LOBO Village and the university’s campus. 

After using the scooters, users are required to return them to authorized areas. Users will continue to be charged if the scooters are not returned properly, according to the release. 

The last time rental scooters were available in Albuquerque was before the COVID-19 pandemic, but they were operated by the company Zagster, which stopped operating in the city because of financial difficulties.

In August, the City Council passed an ordinance to lower the city’s charges for scooter and bike rental companies to operate. The measure was signed by Mayor Tim Keller, but Staci Drangmeister, a spokesperson for the mayor, said Spin submitted its permit for e-scooters before the new fees were implemented, meaning Spin is paying the costs “under the old fee structure.” 

The release emphasized safety guidelines for users and included the following list of state and local rules. 

• Helmets are required for anyone under the age of 18 and are encouraged for all users.
• Ride on the right side of the street, with the flow of traffic.
• Do not operate an e-scooter on a sidewalk when there is a wide right lane, bike lane, or multi-use trail adjacent to the road in the direction of travel; when signs are posted prohibiting bicycles on the sidewalk; or when in a business district (areas where at least 50% of the buildings contain commercial, office, or civic uses).
• If you need to ride on the sidewalk, ride slowly and yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians always have the right of way.
• Follow the instructions of official traffic signals and signs.
• Do not bring e-scooters onto city buses.
• Park responsibly – don’t block sidewalks or other pedestrian pathways, intersections, bus stops, or entrances to buildings. Park e-scooters at stations or drop zones, at/near bike racks, or in a landscape buffer, if there is one. If you need to park on the sidewalk, do so in a location that does not block other movement on the sidewalk.
• If e-scooters are not returned to authorized areas Spin will continue to bill the user for their time.
• If you see a unit toppled over or parked improperly, help out by righting the unit and reporting the issue.
• Using e-scooters can be dangerous. Roadways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, paths, and trails may be dangerous. Users must stay alert at all times and are responsible for their own safety while riding.