Superpedestrian’s Link shared e-scooter service has launched its largest fleet of vehicles in Los Angeles, California, making it the city’s largest provider of new shared scooters. The first of 5,000 silver-and-bright-yellow vehicles are rolling out across the city with a focus on inter-neighborhood access and connections to local transit, including Metro Light Rail and buses.
Link by Superpedestrian integrates community-first practices into all aspects of its business, including bringing good-paying jobs to communities. Globally, Superpedestrian focuses on employing workers as W2 employees rather than as gig workers, which is an notable divergence from the industry’s norms.
In Los Angeles, Superpedestrian will work with leading community organizations, such as Homeboy Industries and Chrysalis, to give job opportunities to Angelenos from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, through the Link-Up program, Los Angeles community members receiving local, state or federal assistance will qualify for reduced trip fares and free rides.
Superpedestrian’s Link scooters will serve neighborhoods that currently have few micromobility options, including North Hollywood, West Adams and Highland Park. Link e-scooters will also be available for riders in Venice, Hollywood, Koreatown/Echo Park and Downtown Los Angeles.
“Beginning today, we are thrilled to offer our largest fleet of reliable Link scooters to Los Angeles residents, students and tourists,” said William Knapp, vice president of operations at Superpedestrian. “We look forward to working with city leaders and community organizations to best serve the needs of Los Angeles through a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation option.”
Los Angeles is the fourth California city served by Superpedestrian’s Link e-scooters, joining San Diego, San Jose and Oakland. In early August, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation approved the selection of Superpedestrian, making it the city’s newest e-scooter provider.
Designed for safety and reliability, Link scooters have a lifespan twice the industry average of over 2,500 safe rides. Superpedestrian’s commitment to safety also extends to strategic partnerships and programs. In addition to hosting safety workshops and distributing free helmets, Superpedestrian partners with advocacy leaders like the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) as part of Superpedestrian’s community-first approach to form a cohesive campaign around road safety including bikes, scooters and all modes of active transit.
“At LACBC, we believe a more bikeable Los Angeles is a more livable place for everyone. We are proud to partner with Superpedestrian to put the safety of riders, pedestrians and cyclists first,” said Eli Akira Kaufman, executive director at the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. “We are confident that Superpedestrian will help bridge an important gap in our region by providing safe and equitable micromobility services for all Angelenos.”
“We’re excited to welcome Link scooters to Los Angeles. Link will give people a new, easy, zero-emission way to get around the city. We are working closely with Link to roll out these scooters safely across Los Angeles — especially in Downtown LA — and we are proud to help expand the city’s micromobility options with Link, providing affordable and equitable transportation for L.A. residents and visitors to get to their destinations,” said Hilary Norton, executive director of FastLinkDTLA.
Link is the first and only e-scooter with on-board Artificial Intelligence that autonomously performs vehicle safety checks, ensuring every vehicle is safe before each ride, the company said. Superpedestrian’s commitment to safety also includes strict personnel procedures and frequent vehicle sanitation protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The company will continue to work closely with the city and operational teams to reliably sanitize scooters.
How to Ride Link:
Rides cost $1 to unlock the scooter, plus 39 cents per minute. To ride a Link scooter, simply download the Link mobile app from the iOS or Android app store, use the app to find a scooter and scan its QR code to get started. Superpedestrian also has accommodations for riders without smartphones or credit cards.
