Check out Seattle’s innovative new bike lane sweeper

In a move designed to promote sustainability and reduce emissions, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has introduced a bike lane sweeper pilot program. The program’s flagship component involves testing the eSwingo 200+, a fully electric compact sweeper by Schmidt, in the city’s protected bike lanes (PBLs). This marks a significant step towards achieving Mayor Bruce Harrell’s goal of a 100% zero-emission, fossil fuel-free city fleet by 2030.

The eSwingo 200+ garnered attention after a successful test run in June 2023, prompting SDOT to rent one of these electric sweepers for a six-month pilot to assess its feasibility for Seattle. This endeavor represents the first time SDOT is renting and testing an electric protected bike lane (PBL) sweeper, a move intended to inform future purchasing decisions and further align with the city’s climate goals.

“We’re launching the eBroomer Pilot Program – our first demonstration project to test the durability and feasibility of replacing SDOT’s carbon-emitting fleet of vehicles with zero-emissions alternatives,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “This pilot program brings us one step closer to achieving our One Seattle vision for a zero-emission, fossil fuel-free City fleet by 2030. Together, we’re forging a path towards a better future.”

The Electric Street Sweeper Pilot Program aims to evaluate the functionality of all-electric bike lane sweepers on Seattle’s PBL network, including high-traffic areas like South Dearborn Street and 2nd Avenue. According to the manufacturer, the eSwingo can operate for ten hours on a single charge and requires eight hours to fully recharge. SDOT’s objectives include assessing sweeping demand, maintenance needs, charging time, charge hold, and durability in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the electric sweeper offers a quieter option for cleaning the city’s PBLs compared to traditional street sweepers.

As climate emissions from transportation remain a significant concern in Seattle, especially from short one to three-mile vehicle trips, ensuring debris-free and leaf-free PBLs plays a crucial role in reducing the city’s climate impact. This pilot program is part of a broader effort to provide safe and reliable zero-emission alternative travel options year-round.

“We at SDOT are committed to right-sizing and electrifying our fleet of vehicles and equipment to reduce carbon emissions from city operations,” said Greg Spotts, SDOT Director. “It’s part of our strategy to combat climate change and to efficiently maintain our city’s robust and growing network of bike facilities, transit priority lanes, and walking connections.”

Seattle’s Electric Street Sweeper Pilot Program is not only aligned with Mayor Harrell’s Transportation and Climate Justice Executive Order but also draws inspiration from other cities’ experiences, notably the City of Los Angeles. Rodney Maxie, SDOT Deputy Director, emphasized, “We’re excited to lead by example as we integrate zero-emission vehicles and equipment into our crew members’ everyday maintenance, construction, and operations work. This brings us one step closer to realizing Seattle’s goals for a more equitable, climate-resilient city for all.”

Seattle ranked 32nd in the most recent People For Bikes’ rundown of the most bicycle friendly cities in America (91st in the world), and moves like this should help reassure bike commuters in the Washington city that the local government is making moves to keep them safe and riding throughout the year.