MCDOT Extends Dockless e-Scooter Pilot Program and Approves Three Companies to Provide Them

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 14, 2020

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has extended the dockless e-scooter pilot program for an additional six months and authorized three, dockless e-scooter providers -- Bird, Lime and Lyft -- to operate throughout the test areas outlined in purple and blue on the map below (Dockless Vehicle Pilot).

The rules for operating dockless e-bikes and e-scooters in Montgomery County are listed below:

• Riders must be 18 years of age or older to rent an e-bike or e-scooter.
• Riders must have a valid driver’s license.
• Dockless vehicles must be parked within the service area assigned to that dockless company.  Riders will not be able to end their trip outside the service area.
• The speed limit for e-scooters is 15 mph.
• Operators are prohibited from riding dockless vehicles on the sidewalk or on streets where the speed limit is 50 mph or higher.
• Dockless vehicles must be parked in the public right-of-way and cannot interfere with traffic operations, block driveway access, crosswalks, ADA ramps, pedestrian access, bus stops or fire hydrants or impede access to private property or businesses. For proper ways to park a dockless vehicle, watch this video.
• Dockless vehicle companies require that riders wear a helmet when riding.

MCDOT is interested in your views regarding the introduction of dockless e-scooters. If you haven’t already done so, take a brief, five-minute survey.  Survey results as of July 16, 2019 can be viewed here.

Dockless Vehicle Pilot Map

Release ID: 20-007
Media Contact: Hannah Henn 240-777-8389