Just months into pilot program, electric scooter riders in Hampton have more room to roam

Hampton has nearly doubled the area where riders are able to use Lime’s motorized scooters.

The scooters were first released in downtown and Phoebus — two of the city’s busiest restaurant districts — in September as part of a one-year pilot program.

The scooters use “geofencing” technology, which limits where people can use or park the scooters.

The expansion will connect downtown Hampton to Phoebus and add Buckroe to the service area. Under the pilot program, the areas to operate the scooters were not connected.

The additional operating area on the Pembroke Avenue corridor includes an exception — the scooters will not be available around Phoebus High School.

Hampton signed an agreement with the San Francisco-based company in July to pilot the service with 250 scooters. They were made available to the public in early September.

There are a few rules to the road: Riders must be at least 18, scooters are allowed on sidewalks unless there is a bike path and riders must yield to pedestrians. Helmets are encouraged, but not required.

The cost to use the scooters starts at $3 for six minutes, then goes to 32 cents per subsequent minute. Lime gives a 70% discount to lower-income individuals — those who receive a federal, state or local subsidy.

To find, unlock and pay for a scooter, use the Lime app, which shows available scooters on a map.

Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com