Electric Scooter Pilot To Start In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA — If you were wondering after the big hubub last year when electric scooters began appearing in Cambridge but disappeared when they didn't exactly have permission to be there, well, they're coming to Brookline. But this time, with permission.

Brookline will be the first city in the state to pilot shared electric scooters (think a heafty razor scooter with a motor, accelerator and hand breaks) after town officials gave the green light Tuesday.

Begining April 1, Lime and Bird, two scooter-sharing companies based in California, for a six-month pilot.

After last summer when Bird put dozens of its motorized e-scooters in Cambridge and Somerville overnight without the local government's permission, dozens of scooter-share companies have been eyeing Greater Boston.

In January, Gov. Charlie Baker filed a bill that exempts electric scooters from a law that requires signal and brake lights, and rather, classifies them as bikes, which helps.

“The Transportation Board is always seeking ways to make it easier to get around Brookline sustainably and safely. This pilot will be an important way for town leaders to better understand whether shared, dockless e-scooters should be a permanent option for Brookline's residents and visitors" said Transportation Board Chair Chris Dempsey in a statement following the Brookline Select Board's decision to give the go-ahead.

Lime, which also operates a bicycle and electric-bike share in towns outside of Boston, will be launching 100 scooters in Brookline, with the possibility of more scooters added based on demand.

"Shared dock-free scooters will make transportation reliable, affordable, and green for Brookline residents. This pilot will go a long way to solving the region’s growing transit needs,” said Scott Mullen of Lime.

Bird will launch about the same number.

Both scooter companies work similar to BlueBikes, but without the docks. They use GPS so that riders can find them. With an app on your smartphone, riders can unlock and pick up a nearby scooter. The companies - and town officials - ask that riders park responsibly after each use.

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Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).