Avoid a Scooter Accident By Knowing Where to Park 

When you are done riding a rented electric scooter (or eScooter), you need to know where to park. Not only is parking legally important for keeping yourself from getting a ticket, but it is important for safety reasons as well. Scooters left in random locations can be hazards to other riders and motor vehicle drivers, and scooters left littering public walkways can present trip hazards for unsuspecting pedestrians.

What are the Florida Parking Rules for eScooters?

Similar to other eScooter laws and regulations, parking rules vary from city to city. In most locations, however, electric scooter parking rules focus on keeping traffic lanes and sidewalks free from hazards and obstructions. For example, in Fort Lauderdale, the Transportation and Mobility Department requires:

• Scooters must be parked upright at all times.
• Scooters must not be parked on private property.
• Scooters must not be parked near public rental bicycle stations.
• Scooters must be parked so as to maintain a four-foot pedestrian path on all sidewalks.
• Parked scooters must never block access to sidewalks, fire hydrants, curb ramps, parking spaces, handicap accessible areas, benches, track and recycling cans, or business or residential entryways.

Other cities impose different (and additional) requirements. For example, in San Francisco, the parking rules for electric scooters include:

“Only park on the area of the sidewalk closest to the curb or in specially-designated areas, such as bike racks. Scooters parked along the curb should be in line with and between fixed objects (trees, trash cans, bike racks, newspaper racks, etc.). . . . [E]nsure that your scooter when parked or if it falls down does not protrude into the area where pedestrians will walk or roll.”

Where Can You Find Information about eScooter Parking Rules?

How can you figure out which parking rules apply to you? You will need to look up the local rules before you ride. Do not assume that you can do what other people are doing. People improperly park eScooters all the time, and, “I saw someone else do it,” is not going to be a valid defense if you get ticketed for unlawful parking.

What are the Risks of Parking an eScooter Illegally?

Some eScooter rental companies are starting to include features on their scooters that let riders know where they can park. However, (i) these features may or may not be fully up-to-date; and, (ii) in addition to knowing where to park, you also need to know how to park legally. Once again, it is up to you to make sure that you comply with the law; and, in addition to being ticketed, eScooter riders who park their scooters dangerously can also face civil liability for accidents resulting from their parking violations.

Speak with a Fort Lauderdale eScooter Accident Lawyer for Free

If you have questions about the parking rules for electric scooters or you would like more information about your rights if you were injured in an accident involving a dangerously-parked scooter, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation. To speak with an experienced electric scooter accident lawyer in confidence, please call 954-764-4849 or tell us how we can help online today.