Dockless scooter operations cease in Milwaukee due to winter weather

Winter weather has forced Milwaukee's dockless scooter companies to cease operations.

"Due to winter weather conditions, Bird has wrapped our operations for the year following discussions with the city," a Bird spokesperson said in a statement Thursday. "We look forward to working collaboratively with the city and the (universities) to develop a more permanent mobility option that continues to offer a sustainable transportation solution for the entire community.”

Lime and Spin, the other scooter companies in Milwaukee's pilot program, have also ended operations for the season.

A Spin spokesperson said in an email that the company decreased its operations in mid-November ahead of the colder weather but hopes the Common Council will consider extending the pilot next year. 

The company will continue advocating for safer infrastructure on the streets.

The companies took part in a dockless scooter pilot program run by Milwaukee's Department of Public Works. The program is meant to evaluate how well the scooters fit into the city.

The pilot program ends Dec. 31, but the program language allowed scooter companies to reduce or end operations between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31 due to weather, DPW spokesman Brian DeNeve said.

DPW's evaluation of the program and its survey seeking public input will continue until Dec. 31.

City officials could decide to continue the pilot program, create a way to license the scooters or prohibit them outright.

DPW will have formal recommendations early next year.

Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.