Lime scooter takeover sends hundreds through downtown Minneapolis
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A viral TikTok video sparked a massive gathering of people riding Lime scooters and bikes in downtown Minneapolis over the weekend, drawing hundreds of riders — including some who cruised around sitting on couches.
Local content creator Johan Vargas posted a video Friday calling people to attend a “Couch Lime Scooter Party” that evening. He also organized a second “scooter takeover” on Saturday night, and, according to several TikTok videos, many of the riders traveled on parts of Interstate 35. Some who participated also rode on Lime bikes or used their own bikes and scooters.
“We want to remind the public that pedestrians and scooter riders must stay off freeways — this behavior is unsafe and will not be tolerated on Minnesota freeways,” said Jennifer Krier, a Minnesota State Patrol spokesperson.
About 11 troopers responded to reports of about 200 to 300 riders entering the freeway at 10:40 p.m. Saturday. The scooters had left by the time officers arrived. Krier says if this happens again, the agency will issue citations.
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Minneapolis police also monitored the group as it traveled through downtown and southeast Minneapolis. Police described some of the riders’ behavior as “reckless and disruptive to traffic.” Videos show people riding in circles in an intersection and traveling north on the Third Avenue Bridge.
No arrests or citations were issued by either law enforcement agencies, and although some videos show riders falling down, there were no reports of crashes or injuries.
“Lime does not condone any behavior that disobeys the rules of the road or our terms of service, which all riders agree to follow,” said Kelly Harrop, a Lime government-relations lead for the Midwest.
In an emailed statement, Harrop said riding with friends is encouraged as long as traffic rules are followed, but “clearly many riders involved in this even broke those rules.” Lime is working with city officials to review the incident and pledges to ban anyone who rode on the freeway from using Lime scooters.
“We are grateful to the tens of thousands of Minneapolis residents who ride Lime safely and responsibly on a regular basis, and we want to remind those involved with these takeovers that behavior like this negatively impacts everyone who relies on shared vehicles to get around,” she said.
Vargas did not immediately respond to a request for an interview.
