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Fort Myers approves one‑year Spin e‑scooter pilot amid safety and liability concerns
Summary
Council approved a one‑year micro‑mobility services agreement with Spin that will generate $35,000 per year for the city; council members raised questions about geofencing, corral placement, speed limits, theft protection and liability, and staff described a pilot with a 30‑day exit clause.
The Fort Myers City Council on Monday approved a one‑year pilot agreement with Phoenix USH LLC, doing business as Spin, to provide micro‑mobility services in the city and to deliver $35,000 per year in revenue to the city.
Steve Weathers, the city's economic development director, said the top speed of the devices is 16 miles per hour but that operators can geofence and remotely reduce speeds and that staff will work with police, traffic and parks to map corrals and slow zones. A Spin representative told the council there is not an "anti theft device specifically" but that the GPS hardware is difficult to remove, reducing theft incidence in other programs.
Council members pressed staff on liability and safety: City Attorney Grant Alley noted the pilot will become an ordinance if the council proceeds, and council members requested ongoing reporting including quarterly ridership and incident reports. The term in the contract is one year with an option for either party to cancel with about 30 days' notice, staff said.
The motion to approve passed; staff will finalize operational details with Spin and the departments responsible for traffic and public safety.
