How to Hire an Electric Scooter in Lanzarote
Popular tourist areas in Lanzarote now have electric scooters to hire. If you’ve seen these scooters while on holiday in Lanzarote and want to learn more or rent one, here’s what you need to know.
How to Hire an Electric Scooter in Lanzarote
LINK currently operates all electric scooters in Lanzarote. So, the first thing you’ll need to do is download the LINK Scooter mobile app.
Once the app is downloaded, you’ll need to allow it access to your location. This is so the app can see where you are and where the scooters are relative to your location.
Hiring a scooter in Lanzarote requires mobile data and can’t run on Wi-Fi connectivity.
Once you’ve approved LINK to use your location, the map will load with new buttons.
Go ahead and click on ‘JOIN’ to sign up for an account using your phone number. You’ll need to verify your phone number, so be sure to enter it correctly.
Once you’ve verified your phone number, you’ll be asked to add a payment method. I used a UK-issued Visa bank card with no problems. Try to use one with a favourable foreign exchange fee.
You can pay for your LINK scooter rides in two ways:
- Top up a wallet
- Pay as you go
There’s a slight discount if you top up your wallet. Plus, if your bank account isn’t in euros, you’ll only be hit once with foreign exchange fees. However, even still, unless you’re looking to regularly hire a scooter while in Lanzarote, pay-as-you-go is best.
Once you’ve set up payment, the map will reload. At this time, you can browse the map for scooters near you.
Once you’ve found a scooter, you can unlock it by clicking the large scan button at the bottom of the screen.
At this point, LINK will request permission to use your camera. You can then scan the QR code of the scooter you’re looking to hire. Once scanned, the scooter will be unlocked and ready to ride.
At this point, you’ll be charged a €3 pre-ride hold, which will be deducted from the total cost of your trip. If your trip costs less than €3, you’ll be refunded the difference.
To begin riding the electric scooter, lift up the stand and start pushing as you would on a normal scooter. Once you’ve got some speed behind you, pick your back foot up off the floor and gently pull on the right handle. The handle’s turn controls the speed. The more you turn, the faster you’ll go.
How to End Your Electric Scooter Hire
Since you’re charged for every minute you’re on the scooter, you’ll want to end your journey correctly to avoid being overcharged.
However, before you end your journey, you’ll need to find a safe place to park the scooter. Parking the electric scooter in an undesignated area will result in a fine.
Scooter parking locations are highlighted on the map on the LINK mobile application. However, most backstreets are fine, provided they are within the boundaries of where LINK scooters can be used.
Once you’re happy with your parking location, pull over and pull down the scooter stand. Ensure that the scooter is not on the road and is not blocking a pedestrian walkway.
Then go ahead and hit END on the screen.
You’ll then be asked to take a photo of where you parked the scooter to prove that you parked it safely.
If the END button doesn’t work when you press it, you’re likely trying to park in an undesignated area. Head for one of the ‘P’ signs on the map and try again.
Once the photo has been submitted, a report on your journey will show you how much you have been charged.
How Much It Costs to Hire an Electric Scooter in Lanzarote
Hiring an electric scooter in Lanzarote isn’t based on your travel distance. Instead, you’re charged based on the duration of your rental.
The electric scooters in Lanzarote cost €1 to unlock and then €0.22 per minute to ride.
As such, when I hired the electric scooter for 51 minutes, I was charged €12.22. Meanwhile, when I hired the scooter for 11 minutes, I was charged €3.20. These prices include the sales charge, which is in addition to the base rate of 7%.
Where Can You Go on Electric Scooters in Lanzarote
Up until 2022, you could hire electric scooters in Puerto Del Carmen. This was great as you could ride them to the airport and down into the old town. However, this has since been banned.
LINK Scooters can still be hired in Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise (checked on my last visit to Lanzarote in January 2024). However, the scooters must be kept inside the boundary highlighted on the LINK mobile app.
If you try to ride the scooter outside of these areas, the scooter will begin an alarm, and the mobile app will alert you to turn around. If you ignore these alerts and continue, you’ll be charged an extra fee, and the scooter will shut down.
Health & Safety Tips for Renting an Electric Scooter in Lanzarote
Electric scooters can travel up to 15 mph in certain settings and, as such, can be incredibly dangerous.
I therefore highly recommend taking proper health and safety precautions. Especially since your travel insurance provider may not cover injuries from electric scooters. Some things I recommend:
- Get a Helmet: These aren’t available with the scooters, so you’ll need to try and hire one from a store separately.
- Gain Confidence: Ensure you’re comfortable on the scooter before increasing your speed.
- Go with the Flow: You should ride on the road in the same direction as the traffic.
just back from 2 weeks (july 22 )in playa blanca , these green scooters are every where, was curious what was the story with them
In Playa Blanca just now. Good write-up but using these Link scooters is pricey for what they are… Might as well just walk. Even taking a taxi is cheaper for two people.