Seattle Introduces Electric Bike Lane Sweeper

The city will test the efficacy and durability of an electric bike lane sweeper during a six-month pilot program.

1 minute read

October 5, 2023, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Electric bike lane sweeping truck

The eSwingo 200+ compact electric bike lane sweeper. | Seattle Department of Transportation / eSwingo 200+

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is introducing a new all-electric device designed for sweeping bike lanes for a six-month pilot program, reports Ron Johnson in Momentum. “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.”

As Johnson explains, the pilot program will help SDOT assess demand, maintenance needs, charging time and charge hold, and durability of the device during adverse weather conditions. “Additionally, the electric sweeper offers a quieter option for cleaning the city’s PBLs compared to traditional street sweepers.” 

The program will help keep Seattle’s bike lanes clean and safe year-round. “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.”

Monday, October 2, 2023 in Momentum Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

People sitting and walking in plaza in front of historic Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners

How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

March 28, 2025 - Emily McCoy

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Two people on bikes riding down paved Burke-Gilman bike trail in King County, Washington on a sunny day.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network

The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

April 8 - Momentum Magazine

Small green ADU cottage in lush backyard in San Jose, California.

Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits

The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.

April 8 - San Francisco Chronicle

Large oak tree in meadow with sun filtering from behind it in Angeles National Forest.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods

Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.

April 8 - ASLA The Dirt