Subtitle 38 – Dockless Vehicles

In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

“Dockless vehicle” means a bicycle, e-bike, e-scooter, or any other vehicle type approved by the Director and not otherwise defined in this subtitle that does not require the construction of a special docking location for its use.

“Dockless vehicle for hire” means a dockless vehicle available for short-term rental by a provider for the purpose of providing individual transportation on a public right-of-way.

“Enforcement officer” has the meaning stated in City Code <cite data-path="|1|§41-1|(c)">Article 1, § 41-1(c)</cite>.

“Provider” means any person that provides dockless vehicles for hire.

“Program” means the Dockless Vehicle Program established pursuant to this subtitle.

“User” means any individual who operates a dockless vehicle.

There is a Dockless Vehicle Program established for the purpose of regulating the operation of dockless vehicles and dockless vehicles for hire.

The Department is responsible for administering in a manner consistent with this subtitle.

The cost of Program administration shall be charged to the providers through the imposition of fees established by the Department and approved by the Board of Estimates.

The Program established by this subtitle must provide, in a manner established by the Director, equitable access to dockless vehicles for hire throughout the City and in under-served areas.

On an annual basis, the Director must determine:

No provider may operate a dockless-vehicle-for-hire business without having first obtained a permit from the Director.

The Director may issue a permit under this subtitle in the form the Director requires.

An application for a permit to operate a dockless-vehicle-for-hire business must be submitted in the form required by the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.

The permit application must include:

A permit issued under this subtitle expires on the 1^st anniversary of its effective date and is renewable as provided in this section.

The application for renewal must be in the form and contain the information required under <cite data-path="|31|§38-9">§ 38-9 of this subtitle</cite>.

As a condition to holding a permit, a provider must submit data and reports as required by the Director in a format determined by the Director.

After a hearing conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle and with proper notice to the provider, the Department may revoke a permit if the Department finds that the provider:

A provider aggrieved by a decision of the Department may appeal that decision to the Director in writing within 10 days of the Department’s decision.

The Director must issue a written decision within 30 days of receipt of the provider’s appeal.

in a manner that violates applicable State or local law;

at speeds that exceeds 15 miles per hour for e-scooters and 20 miles per hour for e-bikes when propelled solely by the electric motor and without manual power;

by a person younger than 16-years of age without a helmet;

with a passenger, unless the e-bike or e-scooter is designed to carry a passenger;

without the use of a headlight or headlamp after dusk, before dawn, or when the safe operation of a vehicle requires the use of headlight or headlamp;

on a public right-of-way where bicycles are also prohibited;

on a sidewalk, unless the posted speed on the abutting public right-of-way is 30 miles per hour or greater and the speed of the e-bike or e-scooter on the sidewalk does not exceed 6 miles per hour;

while carrying a package, bundle, or other article that prevents the user from keeping both hands on the handlebars; or

while physically controlling more than one dockless vehicle.

A dockless vehicle may not be parked on a public street or alley unless the Director has designated an area specially-designed to accommodate dockless vehicle parking.

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, rule, or regulation that specifically prohibits parking on a sidewalk, dockless vehicles may be parked:

A dockless vehicle may not be parked in:

Dockless vehicles must be parked in a standing upright position.

A provider must educate its users in the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the riding, operation, and parking of dockless vehicles.

As a component of the education required under this section, a provider must make visible on its dockless vehicles or publish on its mobile application, or both, the standards of operation set forth in § 38-18 and <cite data-path="|31|§38-19">§ 38-19 of this subtitle</cite> or the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle.

operate a 24-hour customer service phone number for users, the general public, and City officials to report dockless vehicles that are inoperable or suspected of being operated or parked in apparent violation of the law;

remove its dockless vehicles from any public right-of-way during the hours as determined by the Director;

ensure that its dockless vehicles are parked as required by law, rule, or regulation;

remove or reposition its dockless vehicles that are parked illegally within a time determined by the Director;

ensure that its dockless vehicles adhere to applicable national safety standards;

ensure that its operations adhere to the requirements of equitable access as determined by the Director; and

comply with all other requirements established by the Director for the operation of dockless vehicles for hire.

Providers must provide a performance bond in an amount and form specified by the Director.

The funds available from the bond required by this section shall be applied to pay for:

A dockless vehicle for hire is subject to seizure if it is parked or used in violation of this subtitle.

Any dockless vehicle for hire seized under this section must be returned to its provider on payment from funds provided by the performance bond required by <cite data-path="|31|§38-23">§ 38-23 of this subtitle</cite>.

The rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle must include the administration and processes necessary to implement this section.

In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of:

The issuance of a citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.

Each day that a violation continues is separate offense.