E-scooters will be allowed on some sidewalks in Arlington under a new set of micromobility rules.
The Arlington County Board voted unanimously Saturday to approve a set of regulations concerning such devices, including shared electronic scooters and e-bikes. They will be treated similarly to bicycles, a release from the county said.
Electronic devices will be required to have speedometers.
The county plans to cap the speed of e-scooters and skateboards at 15 mph. Bikes will have a top speed of 20 miles per hour on streets and trails.
The devices will be allowed on sidewalks when there is no protected bike lane available, but cannot go faster than 6 mph.
Arlington officials say they based the rules off evidence gathered from a pilot program.
"Arlington is all about transportation options," Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey said in a press release. "These regulations are meant to ensure that the devices are deployed and used in a safe and responsible way."
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The county also adopted some permitting rules for e-scooter companies. Vendors must move any poorly-parked devices within two hours or face a $50 fine. They must also offer discounts to low-income residents.
