Scooter share program set to launch later this month

Photos and video by Eric Pierce

DOWNEY - Representatives from Sun Scooters were in the city last week to give the first sneak peek of Downey’s newest ride-share option, which launches Feb. 29.

Discussions of bringing a shared scooter program to Downey first began last September, after a bike-share program that was implemented earlier that year failed to garner the success and popularity that many had hoped it would.

Council greenlit the trial 90-day pilot program last month, that will bring 100 scooters to the Downtown area over a two-phase period starting Feb 29.

Riders 18 and over with a valid driver’s license will be able to rent a scooter through an app on their mobile phone.

Cost will be $1, with an additional 15 cents per minute.

According to Sun CEO Kevin Ellyson, each scooter will max out at 15 mph within a geo-fenced zone.

When the scooter is ridden outside of that area, a push notification will alert the rider and the scooter will begin to slow down.

If the rider ends their rental outside of the designated zone, they will be charged a $25 service fee.

Ellyson added that while state code does require a helmet, there will be an in-app function that will allow for a helmet to be ordered and delivered for free.