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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Lime Bans Riders Who Took Scooters onto Interstate 35W in Minneapolis
Company uses account bans, warnings and temporary downtown restrictions after hundreds of scooter and bicycle riders gathered near U.S. Bank Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 15, 2026) Lime says it has banned customers identified as riding its electric scooters onto Interstate 35W during a large gathering that traveled through downtown Minneapolis.
The company also issued warnings to other participating customers and introduced temporary operating restrictions intended to prevent another mass ride from entering prohibited or dangerous areas.
HUNDREDS GATHERED NEAR U.S. BANK STADIUM
An estimated 200 to 300 scooter and bicycle riders gathered near U.S. Bank Stadium on August 8 after the event was promoted through TikTok and other social-media platforms.
The group traveled through downtown Minneapolis before some participants entered Interstate 35W, placing scooter riders in high-speed freeway traffic and creating a potentially dangerous situation for motorists.
The Minnesota State Patrol responded after receiving reports about riders on the freeway. Troopers did not make direct contact with the group, and no immediate enforcement action was reported.
LIME IDENTIFIES AND BANS RIDERS
Lime subsequently reviewed available trip and account information to identify customers who used company-owned scooters on the interstate.
The company said those riders were banned from using its service. Warnings were issued to other customers identified as participating in the larger gathering.
Ahead of another anticipated gathering, Lime established a temporary geofence covering part of downtown Minneapolis. Geofencing uses location technology to restrict, slow or disable rented scooters within a designated area.
The company also implemented a reservation requirement in the affected zone. Customers could not begin a ride by scanning an available scooter without first reserving it through Lime’s mobile application.
INTERSTATE RIDING PROHIBITED
Lime said riding with other people is allowed when customers obey traffic laws and follow the company’s user agreement.
The company determined that entering Interstate 35W violated its rules and endangered riders and motorists.
Minnesota law prohibits motorized foot scooters from operating on interstate freeways. Rental scooters are designed for shorter trips on streets, bicycle facilities and other approved routes, not high-speed freeway travel.
Lime and Minneapolis officials continue to review the incident and the effectiveness of the new restrictions.
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