Education key to user safety on e-scooters in South Lake Tahoe

You can't miss them. A person buzzing down the road or bike path on a lime green electric scooter, courtesy of the newest and hottest trend, scooter sharing. In South Lake Tahoe, Lime Bike introduced the scooters a few weeks ago, and since then the popularity has increased daily.

One thing every user has is a huge smile on their face. One thing most riders don't have is a helmet and knowledge of electric scooter laws.

According to the LimeBike website, their scooters, Lime-S, are custom designed by

their in-house team of engineers to give riders a safe, effortless experience. They can be safe, only if used correctly and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) are working to keep both users, and other using local streets, safe.

SLTPD started aggressively enforcing e-scooter laws on Tuesday, stopping at least nine groups of users according to Lt. David Stevenson. He said most of the time they are giving the users warnings and educating them about the rules, making them get off and stop using the scooter until their errors could be corrected.

CHP is citing those misusing the popular scooters.

The top violation is the lack of helmets. ALL riders must have a helmet, no matter what their age is. Since the scooters are found at multiple locations around South Lake Tahoe, a location for them to rent or purchase a helmet is not always available.

Another top violation is the age of the user. All must be licensed adults, no kids are allowed to operate.

Stefanie Sarradet of LimeBike addressed the South Lake Tahoe City Council on Tuesday. She said their goal is to make an environmental impact, keeping people out of cars while also increasing traffic to businesses around town.

The scooters are a cheap option to mobility, costing users $1 to unlock the scooter and 15 cents per minute. Their Lime Bikes are $1 to unlock an $1 for 30 minutes.

Sarradet said the apps that unlock the scooters have instructions and laws listed on them, guiding users through the steps. She said they will be stepping up their education efforts and are referring users to local bike shops for helmets. The Keep Tahoe Blue office on lake Tahoe Boulevard will also have helmets.

LimeBike has a 40-employee team in South Lake Tahoe for the summer, with drivers circulating the area with vans to pick up, charge and relocate the scooters.

Vehicle Code:

All riders on scooters must follow the rules or risk being cited, or in the case of a recent 18-year-old woman on State Route 89, arrested. She crashed while on the Lime Scooter and sustained moderate injuries. She was arrested by CHP on suspicion for DUI.

Even though vehicle code says a 16-year-old with a driver's license or driver's permit can ride a motorized scooter, Lime Bike's rule is 18-years-old and above with the license or permit.

The operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following (per ARTICLE 5. Operation of Motorized Scooters [21220 - 21235]):

(a) Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(b) Operate a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a class II bicycle lane.

(c) Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.

(d) Operate a motorized scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit.

(e) Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.

(f) Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

(g) Operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.

(h) Operate a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

(i) Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.

(j) Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the roadway.

The electric scooters can be on bike paths that allow motorized vehicles. This is not all bike paths in the Lake Tahoe area and users need to be aware of signage.

The major safety issue in South Lake Tahoe is the lack of helmets and the large number of minors using the scooters. Only one scooter can be in use per app and credit card.

"This is an innovative concept, environmentally friendly and an affordable, alternative way to travel," Marissa Fox of the League to Save Lake Tahoe told City Council. "There is no cost to anyone but the user. We understand there are kinks, we encourage you to work with Lime Bike to address these, they are very responsive."