SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Uber has joined the list of companies offering dockless for-rent electric scooters and bikes in Arizona.
On Tuesday, the ride-share company announced that it had deployed 1,000 JUMP scooters and bikes in Mesa and Scottsdale. The red bikes and scooters can be rented using the Uber or JUMP mobile applications. They are free to unlock and $0.15 per mile after that.
In the last few months, Bird and Lime have launched for-rent scooters and bikes in the area. Grid Bike, a company that uses docking stations, also has for-rent bikes around the Valley.
Uber's bikes are electric and can reach up to 20 mph. They also have a phone mount and a retractable cable lock that can be used to secure the bikes to racks and other structures, according to JUMP's website. The scooters can travel up to 15 mph look similar to scooters that other companies have.
In Scottsdale, the scooters and bikes will be available from 56th Street to Pima Road, and Indian Bend to McKellips Road. In Mesa, they will be available from the Loop 101 (Price Freeway) to Lindsay Road, and from the U.S. 60 (Superstition Freeway) to McKellips.
As part of its launch, between Jan. 15-Feb. 4, Uber is offering users free 15-minute rides (up to five a day, per person). They will also hand out a limited number of free helmets in Mesa and Scottsdale, and at Green Light Hub, 1414 W. Broadway Road, in Tempe on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m - 5 p.m.
JUMP also has a program for low-income users. Called "JUMP Boost Plan," the program costs $5 per year and gives users 60 minutes of ride time a day. To join the program, users have to verify enrollment with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Short Term Crisis Services, The Arizona Cash Assistance Program, Arizona Nutrition Assistance or Section 8.
According to Uber's rules, riders need to be at least 18+, have a U.S. drivers license, wear a helmet and ride in bike lanes.
In December, Scottsdale passed an updated ordinance regarding the electric scooters and bikes to better clarify where and when the scooters and bikes can be placed and rode.
On Jan. 10, the City of Tempe City Council passed licensing agreements requiring dockless bike companies to pay an annual application fee and dictating where the scooters can be staged and placed.
Editor's note: This article was updated to reflect that the scooters and bikes are free to unlock, per an Uber spokesperson. However, on JUMP's website, it lists the pricing as $1 to unlock.
