Lime today announced that it plans to provide free scooter rides to health care workers, first responders and other frontline workers during Chicago’s second scooter pilot. The free, 30-minute rides would allow essential workers to commute to work while avoiding contact with others to decrease the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.
“The pandemic has made getting from one place to another more difficult. Providing free scooter rides to Chicago’s medical, first responders and other heroes offers them an easy and safe way to travel while social distancing,” Lime’s Chicago Government Relations Senior Manager LeAaron Foley said.
Lime will reach out to Chicago-area hospitals and other emergency workers to make them aware of the service. The second scooter pilot, which will include the entire city of Chicago except for the Loop and Lakefront, is scheduled to begin Aug. 3, 2020.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our employees to get to work safely and help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Mary Shehan, CEO of Weiss Memorial Hospital in the Uptown neighborhood. “Many of our staff live in the community, and we are grateful to Lime for this free program to get our essential workers to the hospital.”
The free scooter rides are part of the Lime Aid program and will help workers who might otherwise have difficulty getting to work because they don’t want to take public transportation or rideshare services. Scooters offer a socially distant way of traveling and can help alleviate concerns over traveling in proximity to others.
Lime will take a range of additional steps to keep riders safe. Some of those include:
- Using products recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the Center for Biocide Chemistries list that have been approved by the EPA for use against the coronavirus.
- Enhancing cleaning methods in accordance with CDC guidelines.
- Reminding riders to wash hands or use hand sanitizer when arriving at the final destination.
A recent white paper by independent medical experts found that shared scooters are the safest mode of publicly available transportation.
To keep riders safe, Lime will provide in-app reminders of its “THRIVE” health and safety best practices, including:
- Take precautions — inspect the scooter to make sure the wheels, brakes, throttle, lights, and frame are all in good working condition. For a tutorial please see: https://safety.li.me/
- Hands — wash your hands or use hand sanitizer which is at least 60% alcohol-based when you arrive at your final destination. Wear gloves when you can.
- Ride Solo for safety and social distancing; maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others.
- Identify bike lanes and be aware of traffic lights and signs.
- Vigilance – remain alert of your surroundings and potential road and safety hazards.
- Enjoy Responsibly – be respectful of other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and fellow scooter riders, and always wear a helmet.