Are scooters a mobility solution?

Californian startups Bird and Lime have released 600 unattached electric scooters in Detroit, averaging about 5,000 trips a day.

Electric scooters are emerging as startup heavyweights – Bird, based in Santa Monica, California, recently reached $ 1 billion less than 16 months after its creation. Bird scooters, Lime and about half a dozen others can be found in many major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Indianapolis, and so on.

Want to join the trend and ride on a scooter? Here's how.

What do you need: Bird and Lime requires a smartphone and a download of its mobile application. Applications require a payment method, which can be paid for use with a registered credit or debit card or purchase credits with a card. Bird requires an analysis of your driver's license, but not Lime. Helmets recommended but not required

Get your ride: A user opens the application to locate scooters available via GPS. Once located, users scan a QR code on the scooter to unlock it. Go up and ride.

Cost: Bird and Lime charge $ 1 to unlock, plus 15 cents per minute. Scooters may remain locked for use without driving, although per minute charges continue to escalate. Low-income users who have verified that they participate in government assistance programs may receive discounts. Bird waives the $ 1 unlock fee and Lime offers a 50% flat discount.

Speed ​​and distance: Both scooters reach about 15 mpg with a range of about 15 miles per charge, although mileage may vary depending on the level of charge when renting.

Car park: Scooters are dock-free, which means they can be parked anywhere the race is over. However, the city requires that they be parked standing on a sidewalk at least 6 feet from streets, walkways and other permanent objects.

Hours of availability: Scooters are available for rent between 7 am and sundown. Chargers registered through the app are charged a small fee to load the scooters and redistribute them all over the city the next morning.