The City of San Marcos, in collaboration with Texas State University, has signed a pilot agreement with Spin electric scooters for an initial two-step deployment of 200 shared scooters beginning this month. Spin has separate agreements with each entity which allows for initial deployments of 150 scooters on the Texas State campus beginning Wednesday, Sept. 23 and 50 scooters to be deployed in specified areas of the city starting Wednesday, Sept. 30.
“The scooter pilot program offers the opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of motor-assisted scooter use in the San Marcos community,” said City Manager Bert Lumbreras. “The pilot program will be measured, analyzed, and evaluated from the public safety and infrastructure limitation aspect as was planned through the recent Council adopted ordinance.”
The pilot also proactively addresses infrastructure limitations due to the restrictions placed on public transit in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and meets a need for additional transportation options following the exit of Veo-Ride bikes from the community in August.
“Collaboration with key city and university officials has been the driving force behind this partnership. It has allowed us to really work together to customize a pilot program that is focused on safety,” said Alex April, Spin’s Senior Manager of Government Partnerships. “This includes employing a local workforce to ensure the implementation of industry-leading COVID-19 safety protocols.”
Scooters will cost $1 to unlock and 29 cents per minute of use. Hours of scooter operation are 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Riders should note that scooters must be parked in the designated scooter zone to end the ride and avoid accruing additional fees. To report issues with Spin scooters, email support@spin.pm or call 888.262.5189.
Spin will host safety and parking training events to give riders a chance to test the scooters in a safe and controlled environment. The first event will take place at Texas State University on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Bobcat Trail adjacent to the Campus Quad.
To get started with Spin scooters, download the Spin app to register and locate scooters. Spin’s COVID-19 safety and disinfecting protocols may be viewed here. Spin is offering to mail a helmet (riders pay shipping only) to anyone who completes this safety quiz online. Free helmets will also be given away to participants on launch day and at subsequent safety events.
In addition to being a socially-distant transit option, Spin scooters also offer a sustainable way for residents and visitors to get around the city and university. Earlier this year, Spin announced an industry-leading goal to become carbon negative by 2025, removing more emissions from existing transportation ecosystems than they produce in providing their service.
As the City’s liaison for downtown coordination, the Main Street program will assist downtown businesses with the introduction of this pilot program.
Riders are asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing while operating the scooters.
For more information on the Spin pilot, visit the City’s Bike Share and Multimodal Info page.
About Spin
Headquartered in San Francisco, Spin is one of the leading micromobility companies and a unit of Ford Mobility. Spin has been recognized for launching the first stationless mobility program in the United States and was instrumental in crafting the world’s first mobility permit system. As a trusted and reliable partner, Spin currently operates electric scooters in many cities and universities nationwide in the U.S. and Europe. Spin consists of a diverse team of experienced professionals from government and private sectors, and the transportation advocacy world, all of whom are committed to fulfilling the company’s mission--giving people the freedom to move and bringing people, communities and their urban environment closer together. https://www.spin.app
Download the Spin App
Getting started with Spin - video here.
Ending your trip - video here.
Safe Riding - video here