If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t ridden a scooter since you were a kid.
You may remember them as a fun way to scoot around your parents’ driveway or even around your neighborhood, but it’s unlikely you ever considered it a serious form of transportation.
All of that has changed in the past couple years, however, with a growing number of scooter companies introducing electric scooters to streets across the United States.
Whether it’s Bird, Lime, JUMP, or Spin, the scooters have appeared in growing numbers on sidewalks and streets in cities from coast to coast.
Established rideshare companies have taken interest in the trend, with Uber acquiring JUMP and Lyft creating its own electric scooter rental pilot program.
This indicates that electric scooters may be more than just a passing fad; they may be a revolution in personal urban transportation.
One of the newest entrants to the electric scooter rental market is Skip.
Skip Scooters was founded in 2018 by Mike Wadhera and Sanjay Dastoor.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at what Skip is, how it works, and how to get started riding today.
Jump to:
- How Do Skip Scooters Work?
- Where Are Skip Scooters Available?
- Skip Scooter Requirements
- Skip Scooters Price
- Skip Scooters Sign Up Process
- Skip Scooters App
- How to Contact Skip Scooters
- Skip Scooters FAQ
Table Of Contents
How Do Skip Scooters Work?
E-scooters are much easier to use than you might imagine.
While it can feel intimidating to stand on a motorized device with just your feet, it’s quite simple.
If you can ride a bike, then you can definitely ride a Skip scooter.
They have a top speed of 18 mph, so they’re nowhere near as fast as a motorcycle or car.
Skip scooters are dockless, meaning that you can pick them up and drop them off wherever you want.
There’s no need to attach them to a dock like you would with certain city bikes.
That being said, you can’t just leave the scooter in the middle of the sidewalk.
Skip requires you to park the scooter near a bike rack or at the curbside next to a road and away from foot traffic.
You’re only allowed to ride in bike lanes, and you cannot ride the scooters in parks or on city bike paths.
To rent a scooter, all you have to do is download the Skip app, create an account, and then use the app to scan the QR code on the scooter you want to rent.
You ride the scooter for as long as you need and then use the app to end your reservation.
It’s a fun, simple process.
Where Are Skip Scooters Available?
Skip scooters are currently available in a limited number of markets in the United States.
This small reach is both due to the company being new and also due to the cities it has chosen to operate in.
Particularly, the company is notable for having a presence in San Francisco, a city that had previously banned other scooter companies like Lime and Bird for not complying with city ordinances.
Skip has taken a different approach.
Instead of dumping their scooters on sidewalks overnight and then applying for permits, they’ve worked closely with city officials before launching their product.
In addition to having all the proper permits in place, they provide free training on how to ride safely and use scooters that are more robust in construction than those of their competitors.
Using this careful approach, Skip has established a presence in the following cities:
- Long Beach, California
- Portland, Oregon
- San Francisco Bay Area, California
- Washington, D.C.
Skip Scooter Requirements
Skip has a few basic requirements in place for riders.
These ensure that everyone remains safe.
To rent and ride Skip scooters, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Wear a helmet while riding
- Have a phone capable of running the Skip app
As you can see, the requirements aren’t that difficult to meet. Note that you will be required to scan your driver’s license when you sign up in order to confirm your age.
Skip Scooters Price
Skip uses the same pricing system as all the other electric scooter companies.
Rides cost $1 to start and then $0.15 for each minute ridden.
You can ride for as long as you want (or until the scooter runs out of charge).
There are no fees to sign up and no ongoing membership fees.
You can use the service as little or as much as you want, and you’ll always pay the same.
While the price is not expensive (it usually costs less than a rideshare would, plus there’s no need to tip), there are ways to save money in the form of promo codes.
That’s what we’ll look at in the next section, which will also show you how to sign up for Skip.
Skip Scooters Sign Up Process
SIgning up for Skip is a simple process.
First, you’ll need to download the Skip app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
From there, open the app and tap on the menu in the upper lefthand corner.
Once you’ve done that, tap where it says “Sign in.”
You’ll then need to enter an email address, your full name, and a password.
After you do this, you’ll need to enter your payment information. You can pay for rides using a debit or credit card.
With this done, you’re ready to take your first ride.
Skip Scooters App
To start riding, you’ll need to use the Skip app.
The app will display a map of all available scooters in your area.
Use the map to find the scooter you want to ride, and then tap “Start Ride” in the app.
The app will then prompt you to either scan the QR code located between the handlebars of the scooter.
If you’re having trouble scanning the QR code, you can also manually the alphanumeric code written below it.
After you’ve done this, you’re ready to start riding.
To ride the scooter, place both feet on the board in a wide, comfortable stance.
Squeeze the lever with your right hand to accelerate, and squeeze the brake with your left hand to slow down.
Ride in bike lanes whenever possible.
If no bike lanes are available, ride in the right side of the right lane.
Always yield to cars and bicycles.
When you’re ready to return a scooter, just park it anywhere it is legal to do so in your city.
In general, this means at places like bike racks or in any areas that won’t block roadways, sidewalks, ramps, or driveways.
In some cities, Skip scooters have a latch to attach them to bike racks.
This keeps the scooters secure, and it also prevents them from falling over (a common problem with electric scooters).
You’ll need to confirm in the app that you’re ending your ride. Otherwise, you can continue to be charged even if you’re not riding the scooter.
To do this, tap “End Ride” and confirm that you have properly parked the scooter.
You’ll then be able to view a summary of your ride and a receipt (you’ll also get a copy of the receipt by email).
To see a video explanation of the above process, check out this official video from Skip:
How to Contact Skip Scooters
If you have an issue with a ride, you have a few different methods of contacting Skip.
To report a specific issue like a broken scooter or app problem, you can tap “Report an issue” in the Skip app menu.
You can choose from the following options:
- Illegal parking
- Broken scooter
- App problem
- Other issue
Clicking on each of these options will open the email app on your phone and create an email with a subject line relevant to your problem.
You can also contact skip via email directly.
Send support requests to [email protected].
If you prefer to communicate via social media, you can also DM support requests to @SkipScooters on Twitter.
Skip Scooters FAQ
To conclude this article, let’s answer some common questions about Skip.
1. Why should I choose Skip over Lime or Bird?
In most respects, Skip is identical to its competitors.
It offers the same product at the same price.
Where it differentiates itself, however, is its focus on regulatory compliance and working with city leaders before launching.
This means that it’s one of the only electric scooter services you can use in the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you live there and miss Lime or Bird, you now have an option.
Skip also offers free, in-person training for new riders.
If you’re wary of riding an electric scooter without instruction, this could be a draw.
Other than that, however, there aren’t many compelling reasons to start using Skip if you already use Bird or Lime.
How far can Skip scooters go?
Skip scooters can travel 30 miles on a single charge.
This is such a great distance that you’ll likely never run the battery down to empty in a single ride.
That being said, make sure to plan your ride beforehand so that you don’t run out of charge before you get there.
Riding up hills can also drain the battery more quickly, so bear that in mind if you live in a hilly city.
3. Does Skip offer discounts to low-income riders?
Yes, Skip offers a 50 percent discount on rides in both Portland and San Francisco for riders who are members of certain state-administered programs.
To learn more about this, visit the Skip Rider Accessibility Program page.
Ride a Skip Today
With electric scooters from companies like Skip, rideshare isn’t the only way to get around using your smartphone anymore.
We hope this guide has shown you how easy it is to get started riding one of these fast, convenient, and fun electric scooters. Enjoy your ride!
