Spin officials to propose expansion to scooter fleet in downtown Fort Myers

Spin officials are proposing to expand their fleet of bright orange electric scooters in downtown Fort Myers.

Spin first introduced 100 scooters to the streets of Fort Myers last August, and they have since become a common sight for people exploring downtown.

"I've seen about 10 or 12 people last night riding around, on a Sunday night, which is pretty surprising just because it's not prime time. But they're having fun going up and down the street, and it looked pretty cool," said Joshua Gugliuzza, who is visiting from Jacksonville.

The rise in e-scooter use has coincided with safety concerns across Southwest Florida. In recent weeks, several serious crashes involving e-scooters and e-bikes have been reported. Two children were injured after their electric scooter collided with a car at Surfside Plaza, and days later, another child was hospitalized following a crash with a vehicle on U.S. 41.

These incidents have led cities like Naples and Bonita Springs to consider stricter regulations, including a 15-mph speed limit, age restrictions, and limitations on where scooters can be ridden.

Lisa Bell, a downtown Fort Myers resident, said she does not see the need for more scooters. "I think that there's plenty. You know, if the city council is really going to do their due diligence on that, maybe they would need to see if they are running out, but I don't see why we have to have more down here," Bell said.

Fort Myers currently requires Spin scooters to operate only between 6 a.m. and midnight to prevent drunk driving. Riders are prohibited from using sidewalks, and the scooters are capped at a maximum speed of 15 mph.

Back in January, Spin expressed interest in expanding its fleet and possibly increasing operating hours. While the details of today's proposal remain unclear, some residents worry that more scooters could lead to increased clutter and safety issues.

"I don't see people riding them a lot, but occasionally, then you're going to see them like abandoned, like on the sidewalk at the end of the day, or end of the night," Bell said.

Monday's meeting to discuss the proposal begins at 3 p.m.