Key Takeaways
- Spin is an electric scooter-sharing company aiming to be carbon-negative by 2025.
- It offers an affordable $1 unlock fee, with per-minute rates varying by city.
- Spin scooters are easily found in urban areas and on campuses, with the app showing nearby scooters.
- The user-friendly app allows you to sign up, locate, unlock, and ride with ease.
What is Spin Scooters?
Spin Scooters is an electric scooter-sharing company headquartered in San Francisco. Founded in 2017, it has become a leading micro-mobility company, aiming to be carbon-negative by 2025.
Originally a dockless bike-share service, Spin shifted focus to electric scooters, especially after being acquired by Ford. This move allowed the improvement of scooter quality, safety, and range.
Popular among college students for campus travel, Spin Scooters addresses the growing demand for sustainable, short-distance transportation. Equipped with anti-theft features and a 37.5-mile battery range, these scooters are a reliable and eco-friendly travel option.
Operating in over 50 cities and on nearly 20 college campuses, including Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles, Spin competes with major rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber-backed Lime. With plans for expansion, Spin is set to increase its presence in urban areas and educational institutions.
How Much Do Spin Scooters Cost?
Spin Scooters offers a straightforward pricing structure: a $1 unlocking fee per ride, coupled with a variable per-minute rate ranging from 15 to 40 cents, depending on the city.
This fee applies regardless of the distance traveled or the ride duration. For instance, if you take a 30-minute ride in a city where the per-minute cost is 25 cents, your total cost would be $8.50.
Keep in mind, there are additional fees for rentals that exceed 24 hours.
Regarding payment, Spin provides flexibility with options like credit/debit cards and in-app wallets. They also periodically offer promotional codes and discounts to users, adding value to the service.
However, it’s worth noting that Spin’s payment system requires users to add funds in $10 increments.
This could mean that some of the balance may remain unused, especially for occasional users, making other e-scooter services potentially more appealing for those who don’t plan to use Spin regularly.
Where You Can Find Spin Scooters
One of the critical strengths of Spin Scooters is its strategic placement in urban areas and campuses.
Once you open the app, the interactive map will show nearby scooters on campus, highlighting the distance and estimated time to reach each one of them.
You should have a parking spot nearby, where several scooters are available for rent. These parking spaces contribute to decluttering urban areas and make scooters easier to find.
You can locate the nearest scooter based on your current location by zooming in. When you tap on a single scooter icon, the app will display information about its status and current battery level.
Sometimes, the app enables you to reserve the scooter so no one can unlock it before you reach it.
How to Use Spin Scooters
Spin Scooters has an app that offers scooter rental services and allows you to request a ride. The Spin app is user-friendly and enables you to reap micro-mobility benefits, whether you’re a seasoned electric scooter driver or a first-time user. Here are the steps to use the app.
1. Download the App and Sign Up
To sign up for the Spin scooter service, you simply need to download the Spin app from your Google Play Store or iOS App Store.
Once you open the app:
- Sign up with your Facebook account or email.
- Scan your driver’s license if prompted by the app. This is only required in select cities due to local laws.
- Open your menu and select the “Balance” tab.
- Add your payment method — you can use your credit card, debit card, or Google Pay account — and load your first $10 into your balance. This currently unlocks a free first ride for new users.
While this process is pretty effortless, you should be aware of rider requirements hidden in Spin’s user agreement before actually using the service.
For example, Spin states that users must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Wear a helmet and tied sneakers while using Spin scooters
- Inspect their scooter for proper charge and signs of excessive wear before operating
2. Locate Scooters
You can check the app for available scooters when you need a ride. The app shows the proximity of nearby scooters in real time, allowing you to choose the nearest and most convenient one for your upcoming journey.
3. Unlock your Scooter
Spin Scooters have scannable codes that you can scan using your camera. Once you reach the selected scooter, you can use your camera to scan the code on the handlebars to unlock the scooter.
This action initiates the pairing process between your app and the scooter. It will allow you to begin the ride and have the payment deducted based on the distance traveled.
Before you ride, you should check the scooter for safety. Ensure that the tires are properly inflated and there are no signs of damage.
You can also try the brakes to see if they’re responsive before you start your ride. If you notice any issues, you should report them through the app.
4. Start your Ride
When you unlock the scooter, it will emit a confirming beep, acknowledging that it has been properly paired with the app. Now, it’s time to press the throttle to start your ride.
While riding your scooter in the bike lane, you can check the app for real-time information about your ride, including the speed, distance traveled, distance remaining, and battery life. It’s important not to use your scooter in a no-ride zone to avoid getting into trouble.
The app also suggests the fastest and safest route to your destination, guaranteeing an efficient, eco-friendly ride.
5. End your Ride
After reaching your destination, park your Spin Scooter in a designated area where you’ll have access to Spin chargers or anywhere where it doesn’t block the way.
After that, you can click End Ride on your app to finish it safely. You’ll receive details about the completed ride, including the price deducted from your payment method.
Safety and Riding Etiquette
Spin Scooters enforces some safety rules to guarantee users’ safety and protect itself from legal liability.
By abiding by these rules, you can help create a safe micro-mobility community, encouraging others to try these transportation options.
Some of these safety guidelines are imposed by the government, controlling the use of electric scooters.
Others are determined by the company, ensuring not only your well-being but also the well-being of pedestrians and other electric scooter users.
- Spin strongly recommends wearing a helmet while using an electric scooter. It could also be a legal requirement in specific locations, and ignoring this safety requirement can get you in trouble.
- People could be prohibited from using Spin Scooters if they’re below a specific age limit. This limit differs from one location to another.
- It’s crucial not to cross the speed limit, usually between 15 and 20 miles per hour. Yet, the speed limit differs from one country and city to another, so check the laws before ordering a Spin Scooter.
- Spin Scooters are designed for solo riders. You can’t share the ride with someone else, as this would put you in danger because it jeopardizes the scooter’s stability.
- As a responsible user, you should report any issues with your electric scooter, allowing the company to fix any broken equipment.
- In areas of heavy pedestrian traffic, users aren’t allowed to ride their electric scooters on sidewalks or any space where they could obstruct the traffic.
- Users should be mindful of where they park their electric scooters after use. They should either park them in designated areas or a space where they don’t cause any issues.
Benefits of Choosing Spin Scooters
Spin Scooters offers several advantages that extend beyond fast and safe transportation in urban areas. You can enjoy these advantages whether you’re a daily commuter or an occasional rider.
- Spin Scooters offers an affordable and cost-efficient urban commuting alternative.
- The transparent pricing model helps people enjoy convenient on-demand rides without breaking the bank.
- Electric scooters produce zero emissions, reducing your carbon footprint and keeping the air clean.
- As a Spin Scooters user, you can actively participate in the global movement of eco-friendly transportation.
- Compared to traditional transportation options, electric scooters offer a flexible commuting option, especially in crowded spots like campuses and urban areas.
- These scooters offer flexibility and eliminate the hassle of parking.
- Users can engage in physical activity, although it’s not draining, improving their health while allowing them to reach their destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Spin Scooters Fast?
Spin Scooters can go as fast as 15 or 20 miles per hour and automatically slow down in crowded areas. This legal speed limit is convenient for short-distance travel. If the scooter has a low battery, its speed will decrease.
What Brand of Scooter is Spin?
Over the years, Spin has used electric scooters offered by different manufacturers to provide its users with reliable, safe, and convenient rides. The brand of the specific scooter you use depends on the location and time of ordering the scooter.
Does Spin Make Their Own Scooters?
Spin Scooter has recently launched its own electric scooter models with different safety features. However, in the past, the company used Chinese electric scooters before opting for models offered by various American manufacturers.
Can I Ride a Spin Scooter at Night?
Yes, you can ride a Spin scooter at night as there are no company-wide restrictions. However, some cities and campuses may have specific rules limiting usage after dusk.
Spin scooters have front lights for visibility, but be cautious since these lights are not very bright and may not ensure easy visibility by drivers.
Is There a Time Limit for Spin Scooter Rentals?
Yes, Spin scooter rentals have a maximum time limit of 24 hours. Exceeding this limit incurs accumulated rental fees, a $25 service fee, and $200 per additional day. If a scooter is missing for over 48 hours, Spin may file a police report and impose larger fines.
Wrapping Up
Spin Scooters is a reliable app that allows users to rent electric scooters in urban areas and college campuses. This convenient transportation method is characterized by its flexibility and affordability, with a user-friendly app that allows you to access the nearest scooters.
The application charges a flat rate, with an additional cost per minute, depending on the distance traveled and time spent. Moreover, the benefits of using electric scooters extend to offering low-carbon transportation methods in crowded urban areas.
