E-Scooter Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What rules or laws apply to e-scooters? 

Users must be 18 years or older and must have a valid California driver’s license.
Users are not required to wear a helmet on e-scooters, but helmet use is strongly recommended.
Users may not carry additional passengers.
E-scooters cannot exceed 15 miles per hour.

Where can I ride an e-scooter? 

Users are required to follow the rules of the road. Motorized scooter users must:

When riding on-street, follow the rules of the road, follow all motor vehicle laws and ordinances in the City of Emeryville.

Don’t ride: 

On sidewalks.

Don’t park: 

In front of driveways, crosswalks, and transit stops.
Near ADA access ramps.
Near utilities (such as fire hydrants).
Along color curbs (such as Accessible Parking Zones-blue and Loading Zones-yellow).
On landscaped areas or grass.
On sidewalks less than 3 feet wide.

Fees: 

Permitted operators must pay an annual fee and a per vehicle fee to be used for program administration.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter? 

Each company sets their own prices. Users typically pay to unlock the vehicle plus a fee for every mile or every minute of usage. Please refer to companies’ websites for more information.

What low-income pricing options, cash payment options, and non-smartphone options are available? 

The City has required scooter companies to provide a low-income fare option, a cash payment option, and a non-smartphone option. Please refer to the companies’ websites for more information.