Courtesy of Bird

The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced Wednesday it has issued two permits allowing shared electric scooters to operate in Portland.

The first two permits were issued to companies

and

and the city said they expected scooters would be available to rent on the streets "as soon as this week."

Don't Edit

Courtesy of PBOT

The permits are part of a pilot program launched by the Bureau of Transportation called "Shared Scooter Pilot Program." The program will run through Nov. 20. During that time Portlanders can expect to see the scooters, which are rented via app, on Portland's sidewalks.

State law requires riders to wear helmets and ride on streets and not sidewalks.

Don't Edit

Courtesy of Skip

"We've been working with PBOT for months and are impressed with the rigor and consideration they've applied to this process," Skip CEO and founder Sanjay Dastoor said over email Wednesday. "True community understanding and engagement is key for creating a long-term solution like the one we're working to build and we're excited to get rolling in Portland."

Don't Edit

Courtesy of Skip

A Skip spokesperson said the company could have scooters available for Portland riders as early as next week.

Don't Edit

Courtesy of PBOT

Transportation spokesman Dylan Rivera told The Oregonian/OregonLive in June that the bureau had not yet decided if the program would be permanent.

The pilot program, according to the bureau, will allow the city to evaluate "whether scooters are compatible with the safe, efficient and equitable operation of Portland's transportation system."

Bird did not immediately respond to request for comment about when their scooters would be available.

This story will be updated.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

AP Photo/Michel Euler

Read more