

by Kyle Kozar

It is almost summer in Santa Monica and we are ready to shed the grey and get outside in the warm sun! We realize one of the many ways to enjoy summer and navigate traffic is to jump on an e-scooter or e-bike.

But before you ride, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road and Santa Monica’s efforts to ensure you scoot into summer safely.

Ride on the street! Not the beach bike path, promenade, parks or sidewalk.

Riding motorized devices is prohibited on the Beach Bike Path, Ocean Front Walk, Third Street Promenade, on sidewalks and in City Parks, including Palisades Park.

The City installed sidewalk medallions in high traffic locations throughout the City, and permanent, and temporary signage along the Beach Path, Palisades Park, and Third Street Promenade.

The City has worked with the operators to proactively address riding in prohibited areas. Operators Bird, Lime, Lyft and Jump, have implemented geo-deactivation zones that reduce the motor speed of the devices down to 0 or 1 MPH in prohibited riding zones.

Electric scooters aren’t for kids.

You must have a valid license or permit to operate one per the California Vehicle Code.

Park your device respectfully!



We have installed more than 100 drop zone areas throughout Santa Monica. All four operators are offering financial rewards and credits to incentivize users to end their rides in these designated locations.

If you can’t find a marked zone, make sure to park your e-scooter upright and to the edge of the curb so you don’t block someone’s access. Think about wheelchair users and citizens who need a clear path.

No tandem riding.

It’s against the law to have two riders on one scooter. Period. Sure, it looks fun, but they aren’t built for it and it increases your chances of crashing.

The rules of the road are being enforced.

Throughout the summer, Santa Monica Police officers will be citing violations made by bicyclists, e-scooter riders, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, riding on sidewalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.

City Code Enforcement Officers continue to respond to complaints, and track, document, and issue citations for violations in the Public Right of Way (PROW). The City has procured additional support from a contractor to assist with violation documentation and impounding vehicles through the busy summer months.

Thanks for doing your part to keep Santa Monica's streets safe for everyone! Want to know more about how the City is working to better understand shared mobility? As a part of the Shared Mobility Pilot Program, the City worked with the four permitted operators to conduct a survey of the shared mobility users from January 2019 - February 2019. To read the results of this survey, click here.