Over the past few years, the sharing economy has rapidly expanded. From ride-sharing, car-sharing and home-sharing, many people have found ways to make money using their own property or letting others use their own property. People are using their cars to give rides to passengers, or are letting others use their vehicles while they are at work or are not using the vehicle. Even rental car agencies have begun various modifications to the rental practice; Enterprise has a CarShare program now where vehicles are parked in various areas and people can rent them by the hour, day, or overnight to fit whatever need they have at the time.

 Others are renting out their homes or rooms in their homes to others who want to vacation in that area. The latest craze is scooter rental. Electric, two-wheeled scooters have begun appearing on city streets and are available for individuals to rent. There are a number of providers in various cities and college campuses. Lime, Bird, Spin, Scoot, and Jump, which is now owned by Uber, all provide electric scooters for individuals to rent to travel short distances around town. Most of the scooters are the kind that has two small wheels, and you stand on a small board, with tall handles that you use to steer the vehicle. In the past these scooters ran under your own power by pushing off against the ground with one foot; now they are electrified, and the user stands on the board, starts the scooter and drives along. Jump's scooters are more like a moped than a scooter, with larger wheels and a seat for the driver.

Scooters

 The vehicles are available at various locations around the town; some are docked, but many are dockless. The user signs up via a smart phone app, similar to a ride-sharing app, and picks up a scooter at a given location, starts the vehicle and takes off. There are significant rules to using a scooter and many states have regulations regarding where the vehicles can be ridden and helmet requirements. In California, motorized scooters such as are described here are not required to be registered, have license plates or be insured. Riders must be at least 16 years old, possess a valid driver's license or permit, and wear a helmet. They may be operated on a bike path, trail or bikeway but not a sidewalk, and on the street must be in a bike lane if there is one. The scooters may operate on roads without bike lanes but the scooter can only be operated where the speed limit is 25 mph or less, and the scooter must be operated in the far right lane as close to the curb as possible except for passing or turning left. Texas laws are similar; riders must stay as close to the curb as possible and are limited to roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. Licenses, registration, insurance and inspection are not required. Cities, counties and the Department of Transportation may prohibit use of scooters on particular streets or highways in the interests of safety.

 The companies renting the scooters have their own rules. First, scooters are to be ridden in bike lanes or on the street, not on the sidewalk. Users are to have drivers' licenses, be over 18 years old, wear a helmet, and acknowledge that they are familiar with the use and operation of the scooter. Scooters are to be parked out of the way of pedestrians, in areas close to the street or by signposts or under trees. All of these requirements are outlined by the companies not only in the often-ignored user agreement, but appear prominently on the web pages under use of the scooter. Some offer training classes for first time users. Some provide helmets to users as well. All prohibit allowing two people to ride on a scooter, and they prohibit carrying briefcases or other packages that would hinder proper driving of the vehicle. A few bikes have baskets to put a few items in.