Dockless Vehicles

Dockless Vehicles

Dockless Vehicles are small vehicles, such as e-scooters and e-bikes, available for rent to get you where you need to go. “Dockless” Vehicles do not need to be parked in a bike rack or any other designated location (the dock).  They are equipped with GPS technology and can be parked nearly anywhere - just remember to ride and park courteously! 

Dockless Vehicles

Dockless Vehicles were made legal by the Baltimore City Council in 2019.  The BCDOT manages the annual permits for the companies which operate the vehicles.  On an annual basis, BCDOT adjusts rules and regulations based on program evaluation and permits dockless companies which will best meet the needs of Baltimore City.  BCDOT reinvests the permit fees into program support including safety education and infrastructure such as designated parking.  


Dockless Vehicles FAQ 


    Current Permit Holders

    New dockless vendors for 2024: Lime (www.li.me, e-scooters, e-bikes, adaptive vehicles) and Spin (www.spin.app, e-scooters, e-bikes)

    The fastest way to have a vehicle retrieved is reporting the vehicle directly to the company!

    Lime (e-scooters and e-bikes with green branding)

    Report a damaged or incorrectly parked Lime vehicle by:

    Spin (e-scooters and e-bikes with orange branding)

    Report a damaged or incorrectly parked Spin vehicle by:

    • Downloading the Spin App
    • Calling 1(888)249-9698
    • Emailing support@spin.pm 
       

    Program Updates 

    Current Permit Regulations (2024-2025)

    2023-2024 Permit Regulations:

    2022-2023 Permit Regulations:


    Smartphone free scooter plans.Did you know you can rent a scooter without a smartphone? All Baltimore micromobility providers are required to have plans that allow riders who don't have smarthphones. It's called spin access.  Learn more at buff.ly/3W9G1iE Low income scooter plans. All Baltimore micromobility providers are required to have plans to make them accessible for low income residents. It's called spin access. Learn more at buff.ly/3W9G1iE

    Discounted and Non-Smartphone Plans

    Discounted and Non-Smartphone plans are available from each provider.


    Safety Tips

    The Baltimore City Department of Transportation encourages all roadway users to be safe, obey all traffic laws, and share the road.  With new forms of mobility on the road, everyone should be alert and courteous to other roadway users. 

    Scooter and bicycle users should know the following laws: 

    • Users under 16 are required to wear helmets when riding. 

    • Scooters and bicycles should ride in bicycle facilities were available and on the right side of the lane where there is no bike lane. 

    • Scooters should not be ridden on sidewalks except on streets where the speed limit is 30 mph or greater (always ride slowly, carefully, and courteously on sidewalks). 

    • Scooters should be parked courteously – not blocking sidewalks, bus stops driveways or doorways.  You may park it next to a bike rack, but allow space for bicycles to still use the rack. 

    Drivers should know the following laws: 

    • Drivers must leave bicycles and scooters at least three (3) feet when passing. 

    • When turning, cars must look and yield to people, bicycles, and scooters. 

    The fastest way to get a vehicle moved which is illegally parked is to call the company which operates the vehicle—all vehicles have a numeric identifier and the phone for the company printed on the vehicles. To submit feedback about requests or recurring issues, please email DOT Community. Please check back here for announcements of community events where you can submit feedback in person.


    API Information: 


    2022-2023 Permits: 

    Better Bike Share Partnership

      2021-2022 Permit Year:


      2019 - 2021 Extended Permit Year: 

      Permit Extension Update: August 1, 2020 - January 31, 2021 

      Dockless Vehicle Annual Evaluation Report: Permit Year One 

      Survey Results Preview 

      Second Quarter Summary: November 1, 2019 – January 31, 2020 

      First Quarter Summary: August 1, 2019 - November 1, 2019 

      2019 Dockless Vehicle for Hire Permit Application

      Adopted Rules & Regulations for Dockless Vehicle Permit Holders

      Dockless Rules & Regulation Public Comment Report


      2018-2019 Pilot Evaluation:

      Dockless Vehicle Pilot Program Evaluation Report

      Community Survey Results Preview