1. ELECTRIC SCOOTER FACTS
A quick guide to using “dockless mobility devices,” a.k.a. electic scooters, in Atlanta in 2019
By Stephanie Ramage, Ombudswoman for the City of Atlanta

2. What are the scooter RIDING laws in Atlanta?
On Jan. 7, 2019, the Atlanta City Council passed ordinance # It makes the following riding rules into law:
Do NOT ride on the sidewalk
Do ride where bikes are allowed.
Do follow traffic laws
Do pay attention to where you’re riding
You are encouraged to wear a helmet*
Do ride one person per device
Do NOT use a cell phone while riding
What are the scooter RIDING laws in Atlanta?
*Section subsection “e” requires scooter companies to “encourage users to wear a helmet while operating a Shareable Dockless Mobility Device.”

3. What are the scooter PARKING rules in Atlanta?
Do leave 5 feet clear for walking
Do NOT park on narrow sidewalks – keep riding until you find a good place to park
Do park at bike racks
Do park along the curb
Do park devices upright
Do NOT block crosswalks, doorways, driveways, or anything else!
Do NOT park at a Relay Bikeshare Station
Do NOT park on vegetation or landscaping
What are the scooter PARKING rules in Atlanta?

4. YOU CAN’T PARK HERE!
It’s ILLEGAL in Atlanta to park …
On vegetation;
On any grate, manhole cover, or access lid;
In any loading zone, driveway, vehicle travel lane, bike lane, or shared-use path;
Where the scooter obstructs vehicle parking;
Where the scooter obstructs pedestrian or wheelchair access to private or public buildings and establishments or street features that require pedestrian access including but not limited to benches, parklets, parking pay stations, and crosswalk buttons; or accessibility and safety features including curb ramps, wheelchair ramps, ramp landings, handrails, areas of refuge, and detectable warning strips.
In a bus stop clear zone of 40 feet long by 8 feet wide for transit stops served by only one route.
When signage indicates the presence of two or more bus routes at a transit stop, an additional 40 feet of curb length per route should remain clear.
At or within 5 feet of a bikeshare station (like the one shown here)
Where it obscures any fixed, regulatory, or informational signs or traffic control devices;
Where it obstructs emergency service infrastructure including but not limited to fire hydrants, stand pipes, or Automated External Defibrillators.
Atlanta Municipal Code (“Parking”) subsection “e”.
Also, the law says “ Operators will remove improperly parked Shareable Dockless Mobility Devices in accordance with local laws and without prior notice from the City. (h) Upon evidence that an Operator's Shareable Mobility Devices are found to be consistently parked improperly, the City reserves the right to reduce the number of shared devices allowed under their permit or revoke it all together. (i) The City reserves the right to cite, impound, and-store, and dispose of improperly parked devices at the operators' expense.”
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

5. Can I ride my rental scooter on the Beltline? YES!
Atanta’s ordinance specifically says: “Shareable Dockless Mobility Devices and Dockless Mobility Devices may be operated within City Parks, including along the Atlanta BeltLine and shall not be considered motorized vehicles.”
Atlanta Municipal Code Section (“Operations”) subsection “a”
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

6. Can I ride the scooter on the sidewalk? NO!
Dockless Mobility Devices [scooters] shall not be operated on sidewalks or any space exclusively for pedestrian use.
Atlanta Municipal Code (“Operations”) subsection “b”
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

7. Can I ride my scooter on the street? YES!
Shareable Dockless Mobility Devices and Dockless Mobility Devices may operate in
vehicle travel lanes,
in bike lanes, and
along shared use paths throughout the City.
City Code Section , subsection “c”
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

8. Pedestrians have right-of-way!
Stay out of the way of walkers!
The law says “Shareable Dockless Mobility Device and Dockless Mobility Device[scooter] riders must yield to pedestrians in all cases including along shared use paths.”
Atlanta Municipal Code Section (“Operations”) subsection g
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

9. You are encouraged to wear a helmet.
Atlanta’s law requires scooter companies to “encourage” ALL riders to use helmets. By the way, most scooter companies require riders to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
Atlanta Municipal Code Subsection “e”
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC