Scooters, Safety, and Summer Streets: What Every Chicago Rider Needs to Know Before Hopping On

From traffic laws to parking pitfalls, here’s your ultimate insider guide to navigating shared scooters in the Windy City

Natalie C. Frank July 12, 2025

Marco Verch/flickr [CC BY 2.0]

CHICAGO - As summer hits its stride, you'll notice Chicago's streets buzzing again with the lively hum of electric scooters darting through bike lanes and across busy boulevards. Whether you're heading to the office, taking a leisurely ride along the 606, or trying to save a few minutes on your brunch run, shared scooters have quickly become a popular choice for getting around the city. But hopping on one of these two-wheeled devices isn't as simple as just releasing and zipping off into the skyline.

With a population of over 2.7 million people, along with constant traffic jams and a city that's still figuring out how to best incorporate new mobility tech, there are quite a few important things to keep in mind before you get on and ride, and some of these could actually cost you if you’re not careful.

Chicago’s official love affair with scooters started in 2022, after two trial periods to test how safe and practical e-scooter sharing could be. After careful introduction and gathering plenty of feedback, the City Council approved a permanent program. They also set a limit, only three companies could operate in the city, initially. Lime, Spin, and Superpedestrian were the first to join the scene. The existing Divvy bike-share system added scooters to its lineup as well.

Fast forward to summer 2025, and only two brands are still on the streets: Lime and Divvy. Superpedestrian dropped out in 2023, and although Spin still holds a license, you haven’t seen their scooters around since early July.

Divvy scooters are easy to spot, they're usually silver or black, docked at a network of stations around the city. Lime’s scooters are instantly recognizable with their green-and-black frames, often chained to bike racks or attached to street signs. Unlike Divvy, Lime’s scooters are dockless, which means you can park them just about anywhere as long as it’s reasonable. Both services use a smartphone app, available for iOS and Android devices, and both charge the same: $1 to release, plus $0.44 per minute of riding. You can link your credit card or mobile payment method directly through the app, and there are also passes available if you’re a regular rider.

According to the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection office, you need to be at least 18 years old to ride alone. If you're 16 or 17, you can ride only with parental permission. You don’t need a driver’s license or insurance to hop on, but don’t let that fool you, these scooters can go up to 15 mph, and Illinois DUI laws still apply.

First-time users should be aware of a associated rules. When you take your first ride, your scooter will be limited to a top speed of 10 mph so you can get comfortable. You might also need to complete a quick safety quiz in the app before releasing the scooter. After that, you're free to cruise at the maximum legal speed of 15 mph.

The city permits scooter use from 5 a.m. until midnight. That means no late-night joyrides after the bars close, and riding on sidewalks is strictly prohibited. Scooters are considered vehicles, so they should be used on streets and bike lanes just like other transportation.

Many scooters now come equipped with sidewalk detection technology; if you ride where you're not supposed to, the scooter will alert you with a chirp and may even slow down. By December 2025, the city plans to have this feature included on all shared scooters in operation. Keep in mind, you can't just go anywhere on these scooters.

Popular spots like the Lakefront Trail, the Riverwalk, the 606, and O'Hare Airport are off-limits. These areas are geofenced, meaning your app won't let you end your ride there, or the scooter's functions will be restricted automatically. During big events like Lollapalooza or Cubs games, additional temporary geofences are added to help manage the crowds.

Parking is often where riders run into trouble. When your ride is finished, the scooter needs to be left upright with both wheels touching the ground. It can’t block sidewalks, curb ramps, entrances to public transportation, fire hydrants, loading zones, or building access points. It’s also important not to park along building facades. You must lock the scooter to a sturdy object, such as a bike rack, a parking meter, or a street pole.

For Divvy scooters, using a docking station is preferred—and sometimes required—to avoid extra charges. While you can end a ride away from a dock, you may be charged unless you have a membership that covers such cases. Lime scooters, being dockless, offer more flexibility, but you still need to lock the scooter to a fixed object and submit a photo through the app. Both companies are required to share parking photos with the city if asked, and repeated violations can result in account suspension. The apps keep track of all this activity.

It’s important to take crashes seriously. If injuries or property damage occur, always file a police report. Just like with a car accident, exchange information, document the scene with photos, and report the incident through the app. Ignoring accidents can have serious legal and financial consequences.

Scooters are part of a bigger effort to make cities more sustainable and less reliant on cars. But, as with speed and public spaces, they come with rules and risks. Know the system. Follow the laws. And don’t block a wheelchair ramp because of poor parking availability. Note that shared scooters aren’t toys, they’re practical, eco-friendly tools for getting around. They work best when used responsibly. So slow down, stay alert, and enjoy your ride. Chicago’s streets are lively enough without anyone adding to the chaos.