Shorewood Moves Toward E-Scooter Rentals

Village trustee members are expressing support for an e-scooter program

Shorewood could soon see e-scooters zipping through the village as local officials move closer to launching a pilot program for commercial scooter rentals.

On March 3, 2025, the Community and Business Relations Committee discussed introducing commercial e-scooters and expressed enthusiasm for the idea. Trustees emphasized the benefits of providing residents with more convenient, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation choices.

Village trustees plan to develop an ordinance and pilot program to evaluate how e-scooters would fit within Shorewood’s existing infrastructure. The committee decided to prioritize scooter rentals over reintroducing a bike-share program, due to lower costs and fewer logistical hurdles. Committee members aim to advance this pilot program rapidly, potentially launching it by summer 2025.

Trustee Matt McGovern said he liked the idea of giving more people options to get around, including bike share and e-scooters. Trustee Arthur Ircink echoed support, citing affordability compared to other options like bike-sharing.

To address previous concerns about scooter safety—such as sidewalk riding and parking issues—committee members pointed to technological advancements in scooter management that could help mitigate these problems. A pilot period would also provide an opportunity to test these solutions in real-world conditions.

If approved, residents could see scooters available for rental as soon as this summer. Village staff will now draft detailed guidelines and a proposed ordinance to bring back to the Village Board in the coming months.

In preparation, Shorewood residents and families are encouraged to consider scooter safety, including wearing helmets, riding in bike lanes rather than sidewalks, and being mindful of scooter parking.

Stay tuned for more updates as Shorewood moves toward adding e-scooters to its streets.