City of Chicago Launches E-Scooter Safety Campaign Ahead of Peak Riding Season

Chicago - As e-scooter ridership reaches record levels in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) today announced a new citywide safety campaign aimed at improving rider behavior, reducing sidewalk riding, and strengthening parking compliance ahead of peak riding season. The campaign includes new rider safety messaging across the city, expanded scooter parking and bike infrastructure, and stronger compliance requirements for operators and riders.

"E-scooters are an increasingly popular way for Chicagoans to get around, and as ridership grows, so does our responsibility to make sure our streets remain safe and accessible for everyone," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We're bringing together education, infrastructure, and accountability to support safer riding, reduce conflicts on sidewalks, and ensure shared mobility works for all Chicagoans."

E-scooter use continues to increase across Chicago, with more than 1 million Lime and Divvy e-scooter trips taken in 2026 so far. This builds on a record year with more than 7 million trips in 2025. To meet that growth, the City is taking a comprehensive approach built on three priorities: rider education, infrastructure investment, and strengthened operator accountability.

Rider Education and Outreach

New rider safety messaging is launching across Chicago's digital billboard network this season and online, encouraging riders to use bike lanes, stay off sidewalks, wear helmets, and avoid tandem riding. Watch the video here: E-Scooter Safety Video

CDOT's SAFE Ambassadors, the department's community outreach and engagement team, are incorporating e-scooter safety education as part of their outreach efforts in school and community presentations.

"Divvy and Lime scooters are an important part of Chicago's transportation network, and our responsibility is to make sure that system works safely and effectively for everyone," said CDOT Acting Commissioner William Cheaks Jr. "This campaign responds to feedback we've heard from residents and community stakeholders and reflects our commitment to safer streets, stronger accountability, and treating shared micromobility as essential transportation infrastructure."

Investing in Infrastructure

The City is also investing in the infrastructure that makes safe, compliant riding possible, including:

• Expanding Chicago's bikeway network, with an emphasis on low-stress neighborhood greenways and protected bike lanes that give riders comfortable routes separate from vehicle traffic and sidewalks. Chicago has added more than 100 miles of bikeways since 2023, part of broader infrastructure investments that have helped reduce traffic fatalities by roughly 30% from the 2021 peak. Learn more at Chicago.gov/CompleteStreets
• More than 200 new Divvy stations planned citywide, which will improve parking options for rides while reducing sidewalk clutter
• 6,000+ new bike racks installed since 2020 to reduce sidewalk clutter and improve parking availability for bikes and scooters
• Designating hundreds of existing bike racks as Divvy-approved public racks where riders can park e-bikes and scooters for free, including in high-demand areas with limited station capacity such as River North, Streeterville, and the Loop
• Expansion of scooter parking corrals in high-demand areas, including the West Loop, building on successful deployments in Wrigleyville, with 100+ planned for 2026, including near all Metra and CTA stations in Chicago
  
  

"Divvy's station-based network is central to keeping Chicago's streets organized and accessible, and this campaign reflects the serious, infrastructure-first approach shared mobility deserves," said Sean Madison, General Manager at Divvy. "With more than 200 new stations planned citywide, we're building the foundation that makes responsible riding possible - and working hand-in-hand with CDOT's SAFE Ambassadors to make sure riders have the knowledge to match. We're proud to be a real partner in making shared mobility work for every Chicagoan."

"Lime is proud to continue working with the City of Chicago to advance a comprehensive approach to e-scooter safety and applaud the City for treating shared micromobility as essential transportation infrastructure," said LeAaron Foley, Regional Head of Government & Community Relations at Lime. "As a partner, we are focused on supporting responsible riding through clear parking standards, active operations to address misparked scooters, and technology that helps keep riders off sidewalks, alongside ongoing rider education. Through our 7 years in Chicago, we've seen that infrastructure plays a critical role, and we are proud to support street designs that make it easier to ride and park responsibly. We look forward to continuing to serve Chicagoans by helping them get where they need to go safely, affordably and sustainably on e-scooters this season."

Strengthening Operator Compliance

Alongside its investment in education and infrastructure, the City is holding shared e-scooter operators and riders to stronger standards.

"Scooters have become an integral part of our city's transportation ecosystem, offering residents an efficient and accessible alternative for short-distance trips," said BACP Commissioner Ivan Capifali. "With the introduction of our enhanced safety measures, including compliance milestones for operators and stronger parking standards, we are confident that scooters can coexist safely with all road users. Our goal is to build a smarter, safer, and more connected city for everyone."

CDOT and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) are implementing enhanced compliance measures in coordination with e-scooter operators, including:

• Stronger parking standards, including expanded lock-to requirements, stricter enforcement and improved photo verification technology to ensure trips end in the appropriate areas

• Expanded sidewalk riding detection technology and stronger penalties to hold riders accountable for repeated violations

• Clear compliance milestones for operators, including phased lock-to requirements and stronger accountability for fleetwide noncompliance