E-Scooters Will Soon Be Available in Four Gaithersburg Locations

The City of Gaithersburg is participating in the Montgomery County Dockless Vehicle-Sharing Demonstration Project.

The County program allows selected companies to deploy dockless e-scooters at no cost to the municipality, while users pay a rental fee for them.

In the coming weeks, e-scooters will be available in four locations: near the train stations in both Olde Towne and Metropolitan Grove, in the Kentlands commercial district, and in the vicinity of Crown and Washingtonian.

In June 2019, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) introduced the dockless e-scooter program to geographically defined areas in the east and west portions of the County. The City of Gaithersburg agreed to participate in the program in 2020.

The company deploying e-scooters in Gaithersburg is Bird. Through the Bird smartphone app, riders can see the closest Bird scooter on a map, unlock it, complete a safety tutorial, and ride to their destination. It

costs $1 to start, then a per minute fee is applied. Safety and educational information is available here.

MCDOT is hosting free e-scooter trainings and safety clinics for those 18 and older in September and October. Stop by any time during the two-hour sessions to take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws. Participants must have a valid driver’s license. No registration is required to attend. Click here for the schedule of clinics and more information.

Montgomery County Rules for Dockless E-Scooter Sharing:

• Must be 18 or older to rent an e-scooter.
• Must show a valid driver’s license.
• E-Scooters can only be parked within the specified east and west geographic areas.
• Riders will not be able to end their trip outside the service area.
• Speed limit for e-scooters is 15 mph.
• E-Scooters are prohibited from all sidewalks and on streets where the speed limit is 50 mph or higher.
• E-Scooters must be parked in the public right of way and cannot interfere with traffic operations, block driveway access, crosswalks, ADA ramps, pedestrian access, bus stop, fire hydrants or impede access to private property or businesses. For proper ways to park an e-scooter, watch this video.
• E-Scooter companies require that riders where a helmet when riding.

While the e-scooter program is being allowed to operate within the City of Gaithersburg, the program is administered by Montgomery County. Residents concerned about the location of parked e-scooters should contact Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 or Bird at [email protected]. Learn more about the Montgomery County Dockless Vehicle-Sharing Demonstration Project here.