Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: E-Scooters Rules and Regulations
Contact Name: Frank Williams
Contact Telephone Number: 614-645-0584
Contact Email Address: fdwilliams@columbus.gov
Body
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE
CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO
SUBJECT: City Code Chapter 2105.03 - Traffic regulations by service director - e-scooters
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 11, 2018
BY: Division of Infrastructure Management
I. PURPOSE
Columbus City Code Section 2105.03, states, in pertinent part:
The service director is empowered to make regulations necessary to make effective the provisions of this traffic code and to make temporary regulations to cover emergencies or special conditions.
II. AUTHORITY
• These temporary regulations are hereby established pursuant to Columbus City Code Section 2105.03 for special conditions regarding the use of e-scooters in the public right of way.
• By the authority of the Director of Public Services, these rules and regulations are subject to change based on public safety, demand and usage tendency.
• Per Section 121.05 of the Columbus City Code, these rules and regulations are to become effective immediately as temporary rules and regulations and shall remain in effect for a period of thirty (30) days after being filed with the city clerk.
III. DEFINITIONS
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in these rules and regulations, shall have the meanings ascribed to them, except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
E-Scooter means a two-wheeled device that has handlebars, a floor board, designed to be stood upon when riding, and is powered by electricity. The electricity is stored on board in a rechargeable battery.
Operator means every person who uses or is in actual physical control of an e-scooter in the public right of way.
Pedestrian Accessible Route (PAR) means a path through and contained within a pedestrian facility that has a slope, grade, surface characteristic, and other features that make it usable by persons having certain mobility and sensory impairment conditions. The PAR must be an unbroken route that will provide access to any destination along a given right-of-way that can otherwise be reached by an able-bodied pedestrian. •
Right-of-Way means a general term denoting land, property or the interest therein, usually in the configuration of a strip, acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes. When used in this context, right-of-way includes the roadway, shoulders or berm, ditch and slopes extending to the right-of-way limits under the control of the state or local authority.
IV. USAGE
Roadway
E-scooters must be operated on a roadway and shall be operated in any bike lane, traffic lane, bike path, bike trail, or shared use path in the right of way where practicable, obeying all traffic laws and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
Persons operating an e-scooter upon a roadway shall ride not more than two (2) abreast in a single lane, except on shared-use paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
An e-scooter may not be operated on any streets if the posted speed limit is over 35 mph unless in a dedicated bike lane or shared use path.
Sidewalks and Crosswalks
E-scooters shall not be operated on sidewalks nor within a crosswalk except when necessary to go on or off the adjacent property or to park the e-scooter after the operator has finished using it.
Freeways
Operation of a mobility device such as an e-scooter on the freeway system is strictly prohibited.
Speed
Operation of an e-scooter at speed greater than twenty (20) miles per hour is prohibited.
Passengers and Packages
An operator of an e-scooter shall not carry another person or child at the same time. No person operating a e-scooter shall carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one (1) hand upon the handle bars.
Parking
No person shall park an e-scooter upon a sidewalk in such a manner so as to unduly interfere with pedestrian traffic or access. This includes ADA ramps, areas departing to and from buildings and at transit stops. No person shall park an e-scooter upon any street including parking spots and loading zones or as to unduly interfere with vehicular traffic.
An e-scooter may not be operated, parked or staged on private property without the consent of the property owner.
Earphones
No person shall operate an e-scooter while wearing earphones over, or earplugs in, both ears.
Conduct in Operation
An e-scooter operator will be subject to all local and state laws, including Disorderly Conduct under Columbus City Code Section 2317.11.
No person shall operate an e-scooter without due regard for the safety and rights of pedestrians and drivers and occupants of all other vehicles, and so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person while in the lawful use of the streets or any other public or private property such as in a weaving or zigzag course unless such an irregular course is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
BY ORDER:
JENNIFER GALLAGHER,
DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE