Dive Brief:

• Spin has announced a partnership with micromobility operations platform Zagster to better manage Spin's fleet operations, optimize ridership and make its scooter-share programs more efficient and affordable.
• The Ford-owned scooter company aims to bring its fleets to 100 cities and campuses by the end of the year. The companies said Zagster's platform currently assists the operations of Spin's fleets in Austin, TX; Isla Vista, CA; Oklahoma State University and Troy University. The companies say they will launch in more than a dozen more markets this spring.
• "We know that the consumer promise and community benefits of micro-mobility can only be realized with world-class operations and a mature playbook," Zagster CEO Daniel Herscovici said in a statement. "Together with Spin, we are making good on that promise, by delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable professionally operated solutions that work for each and every community."

Dive Insight:

As competitors like Bird and Lime have aggressively expanded their scooter offerings both domestically and internationally, Spin has taken a more conservative approach to growth that has so far paid off. While the company is only present in about 20 markets — with more launches slated for the coming weeks — it recently gained the backing of Ford to help accelerate its brand and stay competitive in the market. This new partnership with Zagster will further strengthen Spin's position as a leading scooter brand and help keep its growth sustainable through more efficient operations.

Zagster has gained much of its micromobility experience through operating Pace, a bike-share network with programs in major markets including Chicago, Austin, TX and Albuquerque, NM. Zagster has particular experience with optimizing dockless parking and building ridership loyalty, which will be key benefits to Spin through the partnership.

Zagster has also touted a "decade-long expertise" in safety measures, which have so far plagued the scooter-sharing industry. Just this week the industry faced another fatality when a man rode a Bird scooter into a tree in San Diego, a stark reminder that much work is still needed to be done from both operators and local governments to make scooter-share a safe and viable mobility option for all. Through this new partnership, it is likely Spin will prioritize safety and issue new and updated protocols to ensure riders remain happy and healthy.