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1. When did the program launch?

Scooters were deployed in the city on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Scooters have been available to ride starting on Texas State campus on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.

Bikes were deployed fall of 2021.

2. How did the City pick SPIN?

In light of reduced capacity on buses due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and the end of a bike share service for the upcoming academic year, Texas State University began negotiations with Spin to deploy electric scooters as a means of augmenting available transportation options for students. Such a deployment on campus, however, would necessitate allowing the use of scooters on city streets as students travel to downtown businesses and other locations around the city. The City viewed this as an opportunity to conduct a pilot program with Spin to evaluate the impact of electric scooters through the end of the University’s Spring semester.  The pilot program was used to assess infrastructure limitations and public safety concerns associated with the use of scooters in the city. 

In partnership with Texas State University, a joint request for proposal was released to the public. September 2021 council approved SPIN as the full time provider of micromobility for the City of San Marcos. 

3. Will scooters and bikes be deployed at TXST and in San Marcos?

Yes.

4. How much will it cost to ride a Spin scooter or bike?

Scooters and bikes will cost $1 to unlock and $0.29 + taxes per minute to ride. In order to complete a ride and avoid further charges, scooters should be parked in designated areas that are identifiable to riders through the Spin mobile app.

5. What do I do if I want to report an improperly parked scooter?

All the scooters have a sticker on them that includes a phone number and an email to which scooters can be reported. Improperly parked scooters can also be reported through the Spin mobile app. Spin Helpline and Email: support@spin.pm or call 1.888.262.5189.

6. How fast will the scooters go?

Spin scooters have a top speed of 15mph. In certain “slow ride zones”, the scooters will automatically slow down. In certain No Ride Zones, the scooter throttle will not engage at all.

7. Where are the No Ride Zones?

There are several No Ride Zones and Slow Ride Zones around the city. Scooters and bikes will not be allowed to be ridden to the river or along river trails. Most of the downtown San Marcos area will start out as Slow Ride Zone. Some additional No Ride and Slow Ride Zones are viewable in the Spin App – which is the best place to view up-to-date geofencing.

8. What will happen if I ride into a No Ride Zone?

If a rider enters a No Ride Zone (NRZ), the throttle will automatically disengage so there will be no more power going to the motor. The brakes will NOT be applied, but rather the scooter or bike will coast to a stop. The rider should then move the scooter back out of the NRZ and resume his or her ride. Anyone can identify No Ride Zones in the Spin App.

9. The City Council voted to ban commercial scooter companies from San Marcos, how is this program possible?

The ordinance provides for exceptions in its restrictions, including a motor-assisted scooter authorized under terms of a written license agreement with a company approved by city council. (ORDINANCE NO. 2021- 36, Article 9, Sec. 82.296)

10. What is Spin?

Headquartered in San Francisco, Spin is a leading micromobility company and a unit of Ford Mobility. As a trusted and reliable partner, Spin currently operates electric scooters in many cities and universities nationwide in the U.S. and Europe.