Electric Scooters
Scooters on Sixth Street at Elm with Duke Energy Convention Center in background
Bird scooters on Walnut Street near the Aronoff Center for Performing Arts
Lime scooters on Liberty Street in OTR
The Cincinnati Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) manages an electric scooter transit-sharing system for public use via franchise agreements with companies that include Bird and Lime.
Electric scooters, known commonly as e-scooters, are available for rent from Bird and Lime seven days a week 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
We also track ridership statistics and encourage you to check out our data dashboard.
Electric scooters, commonly known as e-scooters, are low-speed "micro" mobility devices or any motorized scooter consisting of a footboard mounted on two wheels, with a long steering handle, propelled by electric motor or another type of motor such that the rider is able to keep both feet on the vehicle’s footboard while riding.
Overview
- Riding small vehicles is prohibited on pedestrian sidewalks but permissible on multiuse (bike/pedestrian) paths. Riders must obey all traffic laws and are strongly encouraged to wear helmets
- Riding tandem (two or more persons) on an e-scooter is prohibited
- E-scooters may be parked on the sidewalk, but only in locations that do not impede the normal flow of pedestrian traffic, including access to and travel upon the sidewalk area by persons with restricted mobility such as wheelchair users
Parking
E-scooters should be parked upright:
- In the furniture zone of the sidewalks (leave a 6' pathway for people who are walking, rolling or strolling); OR
- In the sidewalk zone adjacent to the street (i.e., the collector/planting strip if not landscaped).
When parking your e-scooter, do NOT block:
- Bus stops
- Loading zones
- Accessible parking zones
- Curb ramps
- Driveways
- Greenways/multiuse trails/rail trails
- Cincinnati Red Bike rental kiosks
Automated Phone App Warnings
Shared active transportation mobile phone apps must provide a warning to users upon each use including, at minimum, a reminder to:
- Wear a helmet
- Ride in the street and not on sidewalks
- Obey traffic laws
Data sources: Bird, Lime, City of Cincinnati Office of Performance and Data Analytics
If you have an issue with a shared e-scooter, please call 311 or submit a service request online:
Q: What are electric scooters?
A: Electric scooters, known commonly as e-scooters, are low-speed "micro" mobility devices or any motorized scooter consisting of a footboard mounted on two wheels, with a long steering handle, propelled by electric motor or another type of motor such that the rider is able to keep both feet on the vehicle’s footboard while riding.
Q: When can I rent an e-scooter?
A: The City of Cincinnati enforces a curfew on shared e-scooters. You are currently able to start a shared e-scooter ride within the City of Cincinnati 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Please note: You are allowed to complete your trip if you start the session before 11:00 p.m. and end after.
Q: Where can I rent an e-scooter?
A: Shared e-scooters are not docked in stations. They are located on sidewalks and streets throughout the city, but more concentrated in the downtown, Over-The-Rhine, and CUF areas. The e-scooter operator mobile applications have a map that shows locations of their available e-scooters.
Q: How old do I need to be to ride?
A: Riders must be 16 years of age or older. The e-scooter applications require an ID verification process to rent.
Q: Can I ride with someone else?
A: Shared e-scooters are designed to be ridden by one person only. No additional riders are permitted. If you want to ride with your friends or family, each person must rent their own scooter and must be at least 16 years old.
Q: Where can I ride an e-scooter?
A: E-scooters are required to use city streets and riders must obey all traffic laws. E-scooters aren't allowed to be ridden on sidewalks but you are allowed to ride on multi-use bike/pedestrian paths. In addition, there are various locations that do not allow e-scooter operation, including parks, parking garages, or highly pedestrianized areas. These locations are marked within the app and your e-scooter may slow down or stop completely if you enter a prohibited area.
Q: Where can I park my e-scooter?
A: You may park on the sidewalk, but only in locations that do not impede the normal flow of pedestrian traffic, including access to and travel upon the sidewalk area by persons with restricted mobility such as wheelchair users. Be aware that in the future, the city may begin designating e-scooter parking that is on the street, depending on the area. If so, these areas will be marked within the app and on the street.
Q: How long have shared e-scooters been in Cincinnati?
A: The e-scooter program started as a pilot in 2018, with franchise agreements executed with Bird and Lime in June 2023.
Q: Who should I contact if I have an issue rending an e-scooter or the one I have is broken?
A: The city has operation agreements with Bird and Lime. Both companies have distinctive colors and their company names on the e-scooters. Contact the specific e-scooter operator using the email, web address, or phone number on the e-scooter or use the respective app to report an issue.
Q: Who should I contact if I have a general complaint or question about e-scooters in the City of Cincinnati?
A: Call the city’s customer service line at 311 or visit the website to enter a customer service request.
Attention: Matthew Hulme
Division Manager/Transit Coordinator
Cincinnati Department of Transportation & Engineering
Telephone: (513) 335-9115
Email: matthew.hulme@cincinnati-oh.gov