Fort Myers considers doubling number of orange scooters and extending hours downtown

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Fort Myers will consider doubling the number of electric scooters allowed downtown during a Monday City Council meeting. 

Spin, the company behind the scooters, proposed increasing the fleet from 100 to 200. It's also asking to extend operating hours to 1:00 a.m. Right now, the cutoff is midnight. 

• READ MORE: Fort Myers scooter expansion plan divides downtown business owners

Fort Myers introduced the bright orange scooters one year ago. City leaders said they would give people more options to get around downtown.

The scooters are GPS-enabled and rented through a smartphone app, with geofencing technology to enforce operational boundaries, slow zones and no-ride areas. Speeds are capped at 15 miles per hour, and riders are prohibited from using sidewalks.

City Council documents show the company reported more than 27,000 rides, and more 11,000 unique riders since the scooters launched last August. Spin said recent data shows strong demand, particularly on weekends.

"It gives people a chance to explore the city, the historical value, without having to take their car, pay for parking," said Jordan Chaney. 

Benjamin Storms owns Belgian Yummies gelato off First Street. He said the scooters help bring business - but doubling the fleet is unnecessary.

"If you come at [night], they're driving constantly in the middle of the street, not on the right side," Storms said. 

The company previously said it only reported two major incidents in almost 28,000 rides. 

Spin would pay Fort Myers an annual $35,000 fee, according to the agreement. The company would kick up additional revenue if it logs more than 30,000 rides - $5,000 for every additional 5,000 rides. 

Some people are worried extending hours could put riders and drivers at risk. 

Dave Sanders and Patrice Waters expressed concerns about dark streets and alcohol being involved. 

"You're asking for trouble," Waters said.

The city council will discuss the expansion during its meeting at 4:30 p.m.