NYC Department of Transportation launches e-scooter pilot program in East Bronx

New York City is launching an e-scooter pilot program that’s expected to bring up to 3,000 Bird, Lime and Veo e-scooters to East Bronx beginning Aug. 17, and up to 6,000 in a second phase that’s supposed to launch sometime next year.

“This is an exciting announcement as we officially bring shared micromobility to the East Bronx community,” said Hank Gutman, commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation in a statement. “With safety as our top priority, we look forward to a continued collaboration with Bird, Lime and Veo, elected officials and local Bronx communities to make e-scooter share an effective, convenient, and equitable way to get around.” 

Ahead of the launch, the transportation department undertook “extensive community engagement” to figure out the best locations for e-scooter parking corralss and to educate local residents about the program. The process included dozens of meetings with medical facilties, community organizations and other stakeholders.

In total, the pilot, which was mandated by the New York City Council in 2020, is expected to expand ridership throughout the 18-square-mile area of 570,000 people. Neighborhoods from Eastchester to Co-op City and Morris Park will receive e-scooters during the first phase, and neighborhoods that are farther south, Throggs Neck and Soundview, will be included in the second phase. Nearly 90 e-scooter corrals have already been installed along busy corridors.

Besides providing lower income residents with an affordable means of transportation (notably, there are 25,000 New York City Housing Authority residents who live in the area), the pilot program is intended to help reduce the city’s overall climate footprint, the statement continues.

“Increasing access to micro-mobility options will help New Yorkers embrace alternative forms of transportation and reduce our carbon emissions footprint. The city’s e-scooter pilot program will provide East Bronx residents with a sustainable and more environmentally friendly mode of transportation,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, chair of the Transportation Committee. Rodriguez noted the East Bronx area is “riddled by transit deserts. I will be working closely with DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman, Bird, Lime, Veo, transportation advocates, and community members to ensure we are keeping all riders and pedestrians safe.” 

Danny Harris, director of Transportation Alternatives, a New York City-based nonprofit advocacy organization, highlighted the ability of e-scooters to shorten commutes, support local businesses, and lessen the city’s reliance on motor vehicles. Coinciding with the e-scooter program’s launch, Harris commended an initiative that will see protected bike lanes constructed in the East Bronx.

“One of the best ways to ensure the pilot is a success is by building out more protected on-street infrastructure, and we will continue to work with community members, elected officials and the NYC DOT team to ensure these life-saving projects advance without delay,” he said. 

At the end of the two-year pilot program, the department of transportation will publish a report that includes agency recommendations. The selected e-scooter companies that are participating in the pilot program were chosen based on past performance in other cities, and questionnaire responses about equipment, accessible options, pricing, equity policies and discounts, features, and a launch schedule.