COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – Popular ride-sharing services, like Uber and Lyft, provide easy transportation on tap, but the companies aren’t staying in their lane.

Many popular car-based services have added bikes and electric scooters to their repertoire, joining others in this market, like Lime, Bird and Bolt.

Recently, Uber launched its partnership with JUMP Bikes and now offers both scooters and bikes, though current availability is limited. Uber also owns a minority stake in Lime.

In 2017, Washington was the first East Coast locale to experience Lyft’s scooters. According to lyft.com, scooters are now available in Alexandria, Arlington, Atlanta, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, Mesa, Nashville, San Antonio, San Diego, Scottsdale, and Washington, D.C.

The shift towards these car-alternatives may show an industry-wide initiative to provide more clean and convenient options to their already well-liked line-up.

But the availability of these car-alternatives is limited in Maryland, and is mostly concentrated to Baltimore, with some companies expanding into cities in Montgomery County.

@MayorPugh50 and Transportation Director #MichellePourciau today announced a new dockless pilot program for the City of Baltimore in partnership with @limebike & @BirdRide, which will provide citizens and visitors with expanded transportation sharing options across the city. pic.twitter.com/Yvr44M4yQv — Baltimore City Hall (@BaltCityHall) August 15, 2018

Many people are enjoying the alternative options, like electric scooters and bikes, and are vocal about their experience on Twitter.

Finally, a scooter company offering parking incentives! @Lyft offering $1 incentives to park scooters at transit station. pic.twitter.com/hBFgKAOGCJ — Nathan Pope (@npope32) March 14, 2019

It’s part of this shift towards ‘Mobility-as-a-Service’. You see these services naturally differentiating by size. Scooters = short trips. E-bikes = medium trips. E-mopeds = longer trips. Add PT, Uber/Lyft and then carshare, and this becomes a comprehensive replacement for a car. pic.twitter.com/kXSlC6pMZm — Oliver Bruce (@oliverbruce) March 20, 2019

@lyft and @bikeshare this is a achievable and necessary! Adding a bigger/another station in this area and having the bikes restocked after peak usage needs to be seriously considered. I look forward to seeing more accessible transportation in my neighborhood #bikeDC #VisionZeroDC https://t.co/EQrChiaMNY — Japer Bowles (@JaperBowles) March 25, 2019

Just experienced my first @lyft scooter ride and it was LIT! Nice recommendation by the Mesa police squad 😂😂 — Capo (@TeeJay_217) March 26, 2019

Some members of the Maryland state legislature even took some e-bikes for a spin in Annapolis last week.

“These are fantastic,” for people who are or are not athletic, Delegate Sara Love, D-Montgomery County, second from left, said. The bikes will make cycling accessible to the elderly, disabled and injured, Davion Percy, a lobbyist for the bill, said. @CNSmd #MDGA19 pic.twitter.com/9yOZ8DOn2P — David Jahng (@DavidJahng) April 4, 2019

But many people find the use of electric scooters and bikes on the road to be problematic, and safety is a major concern.

To combat some of these concerns, some places, like neighboring Washington, have revised laws related to fault in bicycle related accidents and speed. Similar laws and regulations exist in Maryland.

Maryland law had been updated to allow three classes of electric bikes to be rode in the state. Delegates were given an opportunity to try out pedal-assisted ebikes at the Annapolis Statehouse this afternoon. @CNSmd #MDGA19 pic.twitter.com/z0q9PkssET — David Jahng (@DavidJahng) April 4, 2019

But still, some people take issue with the scooters and bikes.

Who else hates the scooters? Bird, lyft, Uber, they all suck. — Simon Brown (@Sssimonbrown22) October 24, 2018

As much as I understand how handy 🛴 scooters are, I seriously HATE trying to not get killed on the sidewalks. They are so dangerous! 🤬 #lyft #sxsw #SXSW2019 @lyft @limebike #bird — Suzanne Cordeiro (@SuzanneCordeiro) March 11, 2019

@limebike @lyft @BirdRide Sad to say I won’t be riding your scooters anymore. The 10mph speed limit imposed by @DDOTDC makes riding them dangerous, expensive and inconvenient. They would rather push people to pay for full size car rides and impede the future. — Javier Cobo (@JavierCobo) January 10, 2019

Despite the mixed reviews, the introduction of these eco-friendly transportation options show no signs of stopping. If you’re in Washington, take one for a spin through the National Mall or the Cherry Blossoms for a unique experience. If you’re in Baltimore, grab a scooter and visit the zoo in Baltimore for some penguin yoga.