Seated e-scooters are coming to Chicago to provide an option for people with disabilities

The second pilot of the Chicago E-scooter program began on August 17, with the devices available citywide, except for downtown and the lakefront. Bird, Lime, and Spin are the vendors this year, and each company is allowed to deploy up to 3,300 vehicles. Along with bicycles and the new electrical-assist Divvy bikes, scooters may also appeal to residents who are avoiding transit during the COVID-19 pandemic or looking for new options for recreation.

As part of the rules of the pilot, the companies’ apps are required to be ADA compliant, and vendor names and phone numbers must be written in braille and raised lettering on every device. It was also recommended that the gadgets emit low sounds to alert visually impaired people to their presence on the street, and the companies were encouraged to provide scooters that are accessible to people with mobility challenges, such as seated models. Last year’s pilot included the company Wheels, which only deployed seated models, but they are not participating this year.