The Dockless Mobility Operating Agreement has been controversial in West Hollywood due to scooter riders illegally riding on sidewalks and leaving scooters strewn about the city. (photo by Sam Mulick)

The West Hollywood City Council voted 3-2 on Aug. 18 to extend an agreement with the Lime Micromobility scooter company until February 2027.

Under the Dockless Mobility Operating Agreement, the e-scooter program provides residents and visitors with an alternative means of transportation to cars and generated 209,940 trips from April 1, 2024-July 31, 2025. The scooters have been controversial in the city due to people illegally riding on sidewalks, colliding with pedestrians and leaving scooters strewn on sidewalks. The council originally approved an agreement with the scooter company, formally Neutron Holdings Inc., in 2021 and renewed another agreement that went into effect in April 2024.

The program cost the city $60,000 to operate the scooter software and generated about $93,744 in revenue in trip and penalty fees for riders.

Councilman Danny Hang said the program gives residents and visitors who do not drive cars a more environmentally friendly means of transportation and allows the city to meet climate action goals. He also instructed staff to alter future contracts so the city can receive more money per ride as ridership increases. West Hollywood currently receives 40 cents for every trip taken in the city and 20 cents for trips out of the city.

Councilman John Erickson said the amount of rides taken was significant enough to continue the program, though he expressed concerns over scooters being left on sidewalks.

“I understand people that do not like it [but] there are five, 10, 15 of your neighbors that do, if not more,” Erickson said. “The numbers don’t lie.”

During public comment, resident Stephanie Harker called on the council to end the agreement, citing a resident who was permanently injured following a collision with a scooter rider who ran a red light.

“No one else involved took responsibility for the accident – not the scooter company, not the scooter rider and not the city,” she said. “Scooters are dangerous vehicles. They are left strewn about our city along with the delivery robots.”

Vice Mayor John Heilman and Councilwoman Lauren Meister dissented.

Meister cited the lack of significant revenue from the program and the dangers of people riding scooters on sidewalks and leaving them on the street.

“I’m tired of seeing scooters and bikes on our parkways, thrown into the street,” she said. “They’re so heavy that when they’re laying down on the parkway, you can’t pick them up.”

Heilman also cited safety concerns with residents being hit by scooters and the lack of adequate removal from streets.

“I don’t think the company has adequately addressed the safety issues around the scooters,” he said. “I continue to be concerned about the safety of scooter riders as well as the safety of pedestrians who have to navigate sidewalks when they are blocked by scooters. I appreciate the efforts which have been made to address these concerns but they haven’t been addressed to my satisfaction.”