As electronic scooters grow nationally, cities throughout metro Atlanta and north Georgia are grappling with how to regulate them.
Many cities are now figuring this out now after a pair of bills set to regulate e-scooters across the state was parked this legislative session so lawmakers could negotiate more with the scooter companies.
The following cities have taken action on dockless shareable devices, such as e-scooters and electronic bikes:
• Atlanta: Imposed rules on where scooters can be placed and requires companies to obtain permits
• Alpharetta: Banned all dockless electronic devices (like e-scooters), making it the first city in North Fulton County to do so.
• Athens-Clarke County: Approved a 12-month ban while the consolidated government comes up with rules for the devices.
• Brookhaven: Passed an ordinance that allows companies to operate 50 dockless scooters each, and regulates how they should be used and parked.
• Chamblee: No laws on the books, but city staff is looking into the issue.
MORE | North Fulton prepares for e-scooters, but do they need to?
• Decatur: In the process of drafting an ordinance to address scooters. However, the city has an interim operating agreement with Lime that spells out where users can ride and park them. It also limits companies to operate no more than 75 scooters in the city. Riders must wear helmets and be at least 18 years old.
• East Point: As of Oct. 14, the city was considering not banning the scooters but requiring companies to pay for a permit to have the scooters inside the city. The city is set to discuss an ordinance before the end of the year. Talks of a new law continued a week after man died while riding a scooter.
• Lawrenceville: Has concerns about the scooters, but will be watching to see what other cities do over the next 12 months.
• Lilburn: Banned scooters for 12 months
• Marietta: Approved a ban on all shareable dockless mobility devices.
• Norcross: Implemented a ban in March that makes operating, offering for use or leaving e-scooters in the city illegal.
• Roswell: The city's Community Development and Transportation Committee asked city staff to monitor the number of e-scooters in the city. The committee said an ordinance wasn't needed at this time.
•Smyrna: approved a ban on all shareable dockless devices
• Snellville: Imposed a 12-month moratorium on allowing e-scooters.
• Tucker: Banned e-scooters and shareable e-bikes after an initial four-month moratorium.
• Woodstock: voted to ban shareable dockless mobility devices. Its ordinance went into effect Aug. 1.
RELATED | How safe is that e-scooter? Atlanta hospitals asked to tally injuries
About the Authors
