Molly Ayala
Electric scooters have become a common sight in San Francisco, offering a cheap and convenient alternative to walking or driving. However, their rise in popularity has also led to an increase in accidents, with nearly 40,000 people visiting emergency rooms for scooter-related injuries nationwide between 2014 and 2018. As a result, the city has implemented various safety measures and regulations to protect riders, pedestrians, and motorists. So, what electric scooters are allowed in San Francisco, and what are the rules governing their use?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speed limit | 15 mph |
| Sidewalks | Not allowed except when entering or leaving adjacent property |
| Double riding | Not allowed |
| Passenger riding | Not allowed |
| Age limit | 16 years |
| Driver's license | Required |
| Helmet | Required for riders below the age of 18 |
| Parking | Upright on the sidewalk without blocking pedestrian access or driveways |
| Bridges | Not allowed unless with a special permit |
| Roads | Allowed on roads with a speed limit of 25 mph or less |
| Safety | Keep both hands on the handlebars, no headphones or earbuds, no influence of alcohol or drugs |
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What You'll Learn
Electric scooters are not allowed on sidewalks
Electric scooters have become a common sight in San Francisco, offering a cheap and convenient alternative to walking or driving. However, their rise has also posed safety concerns for riders, pedestrians, and motorists alike. As a result, electric scooters are not permitted on sidewalks in San Francisco, except when entering or exiting adjacent properties.
Riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk in San Francisco is illegal and can result in a fine. This restriction is in place to protect the safety of both scooter riders and pedestrians, as scooters can travel at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, which can be dangerous if riders are not attentive to their surroundings.
To promote safe and responsible electric scooter use, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launched a safety campaign in 2023, focusing on three key rules: no sidewalk riding, no speeding, and no double riding. As part of this campaign, the SFMTA has implemented measures such as requiring scooter companies to incorporate sidewalk detection technology into their devices and encouraging the adoption of escalating penalties for improper riding and parking.
It is important for electric scooter riders in San Francisco to be mindful of their surroundings and follow the rules of the road. This includes yielding to pedestrians, using hand signals for turns, and refraining from riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, riders should use designated scooter parking areas or park upright on the sidewalk without blocking pedestrian access or driveways.
By following these regulations and staying vigilant, electric scooter riders can help ensure their safety and the safety of those around them while enjoying the convenience and sustainability that scooters offer in the city of San Francisco.
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Riders must obey traffic laws
Electric scooters have become a common sight in San Francisco, offering a cheap and convenient alternative to walking or driving. However, their rise has also posed safety concerns for riders, pedestrians, and motorists alike. To promote safe and responsible electric scooter usage, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launched a safety campaign in 2023, emphasising three key rules: no sidewalk riding, no speeding, and no double riding.
Riders of electric scooters in San Francisco must obey traffic laws, including adhering to speed limits. Electric scooters are restricted to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour, and riders must pay attention to their surroundings and be mindful of their speed. This speed limit applies regardless of where the scooter is being ridden, be it on a highway or in a bike lane.
Riders should also follow the basic rules of the road. For instance, electric scooters are prohibited from riding through red lights, just like any other vehicle. Riders should also use hand signals to indicate turns and yield to pedestrians, treating electric scooters like bicycles or mopeds.
Sidewalk riding is strictly prohibited in San Francisco, except when necessary to enter or exit adjacent property. Riders who break this rule may face fines. To enforce this, San Francisco mandated that shared electric scooters be equipped with sidewalk riding detection technology, alerting riders of infractions and deterring them from riding on sidewalks.
In addition to obeying traffic laws, electric scooter riders in San Francisco must also follow other regulations. These include the requirement to possess a valid driver's license or learner's permit, the prohibition of riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and the restriction to a single rider per scooter. Riders below the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet, and it is recommended that all riders wear one for safety, despite it not being mandatory for adults.
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No double riding
Electric scooters are a fun and eco-friendly way to get around San Francisco. The city has implemented regulations to ensure safety and minimise disruptions, based on California electric scooter laws and local regulations. One of the key rules to keep in mind is no double riding.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has included no double riding as one of the three key safety rules in its Scooter Safety Campaign. The campaign aims to promote safe and responsible electric scooter use in the city, and educate riders about the dangers of unsafe practices.
California law prohibits riding double on electric scooters, and violating this rule can result in fines similar to a traffic citation. It is important to follow this regulation to ensure your safety and the safety of others when riding electric scooters in San Francisco.
In addition to no double riding, it is important to obey other traffic laws and regulations when riding electric scooters in San Francisco. This includes speed limits, proper parking, yielding to pedestrians, and not riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Speed limit of 15 mph
Electric scooters have become a common mode of transportation in San Francisco, offering a cheap and convenient alternative to walking or driving. However, their rise has also posed safety concerns for riders, pedestrians, and motorists alike. To address these concerns, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launched a Scooter Safety Campaign in 2023, promoting safe and responsible electric scooter use. As part of this campaign, the SFMTA focused on three key safety rules: no sidewalk riding, no speeding, and no double riding.
One of the critical aspects of the campaign was to encourage riders to be mindful of their speed and adhere to the speed limit. Electric scooters in San Francisco are required to not exceed a speed of 15 miles per hour during operation, regardless of whether they are on a highway or in a bike lane. Riding over 15 mph is not only illegal but also dangerous, especially if riders are not paying attention to their surroundings.
To ensure compliance with the speed limit, the SFMTA implemented several measures. These included requiring permitted scooter companies to incorporate speed detection technology into their devices and educating riders about the importance of obeying the speed limit and other traffic laws. By spreading awareness through posters, ads, and social media campaigns, the SFMTA aimed to reach a wide audience and promote safe riding practices.
In addition to the speed limit, there are other important regulations that electric scooter riders in San Francisco should be aware of. For example, it is illegal to ride on sidewalks, and scooters should be parked upright near the curb without blocking pedestrian access or driveways. Riders are also required to have a valid driver's license or learner's permit, and only one person is allowed per scooter.
By enforcing these rules and raising awareness through safety campaigns, San Francisco aims to reduce the number of accidents and create a safer environment for both riders and pedestrians.
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Riders must have a valid driver's license
Electric scooters have become a common sight in San Francisco, offering a cheap and easy alternative to walking or driving. However, they also pose a danger to riders, pedestrians, and motorists. In 2018, California passed regulations to clarify the responsibilities of riders, passengers, and motorists.
One of the key regulations is that riders must have a valid driver's license (of any class) or a learner's permit to operate an electric scooter in public spaces. The minimum age to ride an electric scooter in San Francisco is 16 years old, and riders must possess a valid learner's permit. Most electric scooter-sharing companies set a higher age limit of 18 years old for their services.
Safety is a primary concern, and while helmets are not required by law for adults, it is highly recommended that all riders wear one. Minors under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter. Electric scooter companies are obligated to provide a helmet to riders under 18 upon request. Additionally, it is important to follow the basic rules of the road and be courteous to pedestrians and other riders.
To promote safe and responsible electric scooter use, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launched a safety campaign in 2023. The campaign focused on three key rules: no sidewalk riding, no speeding, and no double riding. Sidewalk riding has been a significant concern for pedestrians, and it is illegal to ride an electric scooter on the sidewalk in San Francisco, except when entering or leaving adjacent property. Electric scooters must be parked upright on the sidewalk without blocking pedestrian access or driveways and should utilize designated scooter parking areas when available.
The SFMTA has also implemented several policies to improve scooter safety, including requiring permitted scooter companies to provide a lock-to system to keep parked scooters out of the accessible path of travel and to develop and implement safe riding plans. These plans include rider training, in-app safety messages, and sidewalk detection technology. With these regulations and safety campaigns, San Francisco aims to make the city safer for all residents and visitors while encouraging the use of electric scooters as a sustainable transportation option.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the key rules for riding an electric scooter in San Francisco:
- No riding on the sidewalk.
- No speeding (electric scooters cannot go faster than 15 mph).
- No double riding.
- No riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- No wearing headphones or earbuds while riding.
- Riders must have a valid driver's license or learner's permit.
- Riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
Electric scooters should be parked upright in the street furniture zone, the area between the pedestrian walkway and the curb where you find light poles, signposts, etc. Do not block pedestrian access or driveways.
Electric scooters are prohibited on roads, highways, and freeways with speed limits over 25 mph, unless there is an adjacent Class II or IV bikeway where you can ride safely away from car traffic. They are also not permitted on the Embarcadero Promenade, where you must use the road or designated bike paths.
Yes, if you live in a multi-unit building in San Francisco, you are limited to four lithium-powered mobility devices per household, and they must be parked three feet apart when charging. Each one must be plugged into its own electrical outlet, not a power strip.
