Light-electric vehicle (LEV) sharing service Scoot recently announced plans to add hundreds of electric bicycles to its fleet this spring.

The bicycles will come with electric motors that give riders an assist, but users must still pedal to reach a top speed of 20 miles per hour.

"This new addition adds a lighter weight vehicle that can lock to bike racks and other infrastructure and is unlocked and accessible via the same Scoot app," spokesperson Steve Rodriguez told Hoodline via email.



Rodriguez said e-bikes will be priced to be "even more affordable than our scooters."

Jump bikes along Third Street. | PHOTO: MEAGHAN M. MITCHELL

In June 2017, SFMTA finalized a permit application process for stationless bicycle-sharing programs and the city passed a stationless bike rental ordinance in March after Castro residents found abandoned bikes from Bluegogo, a Chinese bike company.

As we reported last year, other bike rental companies, such as Limebike, Jump and Spin have also entered the San Francisco market.

"We look forward to meeting and exceeding the city’s expectations for data sharing and providing affordable service to all San Franciscans," said Eli Saddler, Scoot’s head of external affairs.

Companies that apply for dockless permits must make bicycles available to customers on an hourly basis, or in smaller intervals. Additionally, bikes must be available for pick-up and drop-off on a 24/7 basis.

"Any shared stationless bicycle parked or left in the city’s public right-of-way by customers or other individuals [is] subject to removal, fines and penalties," said SFMTA spokesperson Paul Rose in September 2017.

The initial permit fee comes to $12,208 for fewer than 500 bicycles and $13,787 for 500 to 1,500 bicycles.

"Ebikes will give Scoot an opportunity to expand our service area and potentially serve areas that are underserved," Rodriguez said.

Scoot also shared plans to additionally add more "scooters and other types of the electric vehicles" to its existing fleet of 700 electric vehicles this year.

Although Rodriguez said the company isn't ready to release a photo of the forthcoming e-bikes, they'll be the same shade of red as the other LEVs Scoot operates.