Shared Mobility Company Wheels Settles Consumer Protection Lawsuit
October 6, 2021 10:19 AM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Last week, the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office settled a jointly filed consumer protection lawsuit with Wheels Labs, Inc., a shared mobility company that operates a fleet of no-pedal e-bikes. Wheels agreed to pay in the amount of $300,000, with a portion of those funds to go to the street safety organizations Sustainable Streets and Los Angeles Walks.
While the company is now a permitted operator in Santa Monica’s second Shared Mobility Pilot Program, Wheels operated in the City without licenses and permits in violation of the prior program from February to June 2019.
“Like many burgeoning technologies, shared mobility has rapidly changed the transportation sector. But, like all companies operating in Santa Monica, shared mobility operators must comply with all local laws so that the City can provide safe streets and sidewalks for all, and ensure fair competition among companies,” said Eda Suh, Chief of the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office.
This matter was handled by the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office and the Consumer Protection Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The case, People vs. Wheels Labs, Inc., Case No. 21SMCV01550, was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
For more information on shared mobility in Santa Monica, visit https://www.smgov.net/Departments/PCD/Transportation/Shared-Mobility-Services/
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Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov