DENVER — Lime announced Monday afternoon that it will remove scooters from Denver for two weeks while it works with Denver Public Works on a pilot program.
On Friday, Denver Public Works said it had reached out to Bird and Lime — two dockless electric scooter companies — about its intention to develop a pilot program in the city.
Lime responded Monday and claimed it would remove scooters from the city for two weeks while working alongside the city to plan a pilot program. The company will start removing the scooters Monday.
“We apologize to our riders for any inconvenience this may cause,” the statement reads. “We appreciate the DPW for their efforts, and hope to return to Denver soon. We are eager to continue to serve Denver residents and visitors with Lime as their affordable, sustainable transportation option.”
When the bright green scooters arrived in Denver in May, they brought controversy with them. The city said the scooters violated city code, and confiscated the ones that were left in the public right of way. People walking around the city also reported close calls with the scooters.
The proposed pilot program would allow the scooter companies to operate in a way “that respects our public spaces and meets Denver’s mobility goals,” Denver Public Works said in the Friday press release. The program would require the scooters to be picked up and left only at designated bus stops, instead of scattered around the city.
The city said it would provide the scooter companies with an opportunity to apply for a permit at the end of June.
