CINCINNATI - The Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) announces interim guidelines for motorized electric scooters and riders in the City of Cincinnati.   

The guidelines pertain to shared active transportation companies that provide rentable dockless e-scooters, bicycles and other small vehicles used in the public right-of-way.

Offer Feedback on E-Scooters

 

Rules of the Road & Parking

1. 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.
2. Riding tandem (two or more persons) on an e-scooter is prohibited.
3. 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. An e-scooter shall not impede the normal flow of pedestrian traffic.
   
   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; or
• Cincinnati Red Bike rental kiosks

Shared active transportation mobile phone apps must provide a warning to users upon each use including, at minimum, a reminder to

1. wear a helmet,
2. ride in the street and not on sidewalks, and
3. obey traffic laws 

City officials plan to will re-evaluate the pilot program and make policy recommendations to City Council next year.

Read more about the general conditions and limitations