New Rules for Shared e-Scooters and e-Bikes in Arlington
Published on February 10, 2020
Arlington County's new shared micro-mobility device ordinance went into effect on Dec. 31, 2019, after the County Board
adopted changes in November. With the ordinance comes new opportunities for where to ride shared e-scooters, e-bikes and similar micro-mobility devices, along with some new restrictions.
Users can now ride e-bikes on all trails, while e-scooters are allowed on Arlington County trails and sidewalks unless signed or marked otherwise.
Visit ridedockless.com for a comprehensive list of where you can operate dockless devices in Arlington. All users of Arlington streets — whether you drive, walk, bike or use a scooter — are reminded to be a
PAL -- Predictable, Alert and Lawful.
Later this month, new signage prohibiting sidewalk-riding will be installed next to
protected bicycle lanes, where people biking are separated from drivers with a parking lane or other physical barrier. When a protected bike lane is available in the same direction of travel, shared e-scooter and e-bike riders must use it instead of the sidewalk. S
ee proposed placement of signage in photo below:
Initial locations for no-sidewalk-riding signage
In late February, the County's Department of Environmental Services will install no-sidewalk-riding signage along sections of the following streets with protected bike lanes:
- Ballston: North Quincy Street between North Glebe Road and 9th Street North, westbound Fairfax Drive between North Glebe Road and North Wakefield Street
- Court House: North Veitch Street between Wilson Boulevard and Lee Highway
- Crystal City: South Eads Street between 12th Street South and 22nd Street South, and between Fort Scott Drive and South Glebe Road
- Lyon Park: North Pershing Drive between Washington Boulevard and North Barton Street
- Pentagon City: Army Navy Drive between South Nash Street and South Joyce Street, South Hayes Street between 15th Street South and 18th Street South
- Rosslyn: Westbound Wilson Boulevard between North Oak Street and North Courthouse Road
Signage will be placed at the start of a sidewalk where sidewalk-riding is banned. Initial enforcement of the new restrictions will focus on education and warnings.
This map shows where protected bike lanes are located in Arlington. The map will be updated as new protected bike lanes are created.
Questions or comments on the new signage can be sent to
mobility@arlingtonva.us. A list of common questions and answers about using a micro-mobility device in Arlington is available on the
County website.
Next steps
Arlington's new ordinance allows the County Manager to further restrict sidewalk-riding access for e-scooters, e-bikes and motorized skateboards in the interest of public safety and welfare, even where a protected bike lane is not available. County staff are developing criteria to evaluate potential future no-sidewalk-riding areas.
Image of signage design: