OHIO and City of Athens partner to launch electronic scooter transportation option on Feb. 18

Correction: This article has been updated as the event location and details have changed. 

A launch event for availability of electric scooters, or e-scooters, will take place in the first floor of Baker University Center on Feb. 18 from 9-11 a.m. Spin, a company owned by Ford Motor Co., will be deploying the scooters in Athens that morning. 

Spin representatives will be at a table where they will hand out safety information, promotion cards, helmets, and speak with users one-on-one about safety and any question they may have about the e-scooters. 

Wearing a helmet is highly suggested for all e-scooter users. Spin will be handing out free helmets while supplies last. If one misses the event, riders can also purchase a helmet by contacting Spin Customer Service by calling 1-888-262-5189 or emailing support@spin.pm for a promotion code and additional information. 

Safety was the number one priority during planning discussions, according to Tia Hysell, Director of Ohio University Transportation & Parking Services. She said, “Ohio University is committed to supporting sustainability through the use of safe, reliable and affordable transportation accommodations on campus. This shared mobility introduction will provide a new transportation opportunity for the campus community.”

E-scooters will be available for use starting at 6 a.m. on Feb. 18 around campus and the city limits. 

Campus Use

College Green is a designated campus “no ride” zone, and the city has also implemented a “no ride zone” on Court Street (from the Union Street intersection to Carpenter Street). Cross-streets to Court Street will have access. Any temporary “no ride” or “slow ride” zones will be designated accordingly within the Spin-Electric Scooters app.

For campus use, OHIO will designate specific locations on campus for e-scooter parking. Devices should be returned to these designated parking locations following use to assist with deployment and service re-balancing efforts. Authorized campus parking locations will be marked with e-scooter parking emblems. While users may also utilize campus bike racks, users are encouraged to utilize the designated parking areas rather than stand-alone bike racks when possible to avoid congestion and ensure adequate parking for bicyclists and active transportation users.

Users are also encouraged to ensure that devices are not parked within a manner which impedes pedestrian pathways, building ingress or egress, blocks vehicle parking spaces, stairwells or ADA access or ramps. E-scooter parking should not disrupt campus landscaping.

City Use

The City of Athens will not be designating specific parking locations but will allow parking in a neat and orderly fashion along sidewalks ensuring that users do not block pedestrian or ADA access or building ingress and egress.

Spin Scooters Access

Operation hours will be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Riders may also experience limited access to the scooters during high-traffic weekends and events on campus.

E-scooters, which are available through a phone application (Spin-Electric Scooters), can be rented at a rate of $1 per ride and $.29 per minute. Enter discount code BOBCATSPIN for $5 off your first ride. 

Spin Access provides access to e-scooters for individuals without smartphones or credit cards – additional information on this service is available at: https://www.spin.app/spin-access. Riders must be 18 years old or older to rent an e-scooter.

Spin provides a 24-hour Customer Service Line 1-888-262-5189 and email support support@spin.pm.  Customer Care phone numbers are also listed on each e-scooter device for easy reference, individuals are encouraged to reach out to Spin directly to report improper e-scooter parking, scooter damage or maintenance needs, or for service/account questions and concerns.

E-scooter users are reminded to ride responsibly, obey the rules of the roadway, adhere to traffic signs and signals and yield to pedestrians. Riders are reminded that scooters should be operated for single occupancy use only and helmet use is strongly encouraged.

Spin has provided a safety video to encourage rider safety. Ohio University Transportation and Parking Services offers e-scooter operating best practices online at https://www.ohio.edu/transportation-parking/shared-active-transportation-programs.