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The scooters can be rented through the same Bolt app used for hiring a car by switching the app to the scooter mode. The app also shows the locations of available scooters. A scooter can be unlocked by scanning the QR code on the scooter. When the service is used for the first time, the app displays the scooter user's manual to the user, Bolt said.

Unlocking a scooter costs 50 euro cents and each minute the scooter is used 15 cents. A 10-minute ride, for instance, which is ordinarily enough to cover a distance of two to three kilometers, costs the user 2 euros. Using a scooter all day costs the user 15 euros maximum.

Bolt scooters can develop a speed of up to 25 kilometers per hour, whereas each user must be confident that the chosen speed is safe for them and other participants in road traffic.

In certain areas, such as in the Old Town, the maximum speed of the scooters is limited automatically for traffic safety. It is recommended to use electric scooters on bicycle roads or, in the absence thereof, on sidewalks and pedestrian paths.

At the end of the ride, users must park the scooter in a safe place where it doesn't get in the way of traffic, preferably near a bicycle parking area. The precise areas are shown on the map available with the app. A fine of 40 euros will apply to users who leave a scooter outside a designated area. The minimum age of the person who can rent an electric scooter is 18.

Bolt is kicking off scooter hire in Tartu with NineBot ES4 scooters and is planning to renew its fleet during the season by introducing newer models. The company will be monitoring demand for the service and is prepared to increase the number of scooters available if needed.