Stationless devices – bicycles, E-bikes and E-scooters – are popping up across the nation and soon will make their way to Boise. Two companies – Lime and Bird – will bring up to 500 stationless E-scooters to Boise in mid-October.
In an effort to provide as many alternative modes of transportation as possible to students, faculty and staff, Boise State is working with vendors to designate certain areas of campus where E-scooters may be parked.
As a reminder, no bike, scooter or skateboard travel is permitted on campus in the Pedestrian Priority Zone. E-scooters will not be allowed inside any buildings.
To report a hazardous safety or ADA compliance concern related to E-scooters, please call the Boise State Department of Public Safety at (208) 426-6911. To provide general feedback on the use of e-scooters on campus, please send an email to parkingquestions@boisestate.edu.
City code allows for E-bikes with a motor that has a power output of no more than 750 watts and a top speed of 20 miles per hour, and E-scooters with a motor that has a power output of no more than 300 watts and a top speed of 15 miles per hour.
They can be used within Boise city limits on streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes and on the 25 miles of Greenbelt paths managed by City of Boise.
The City of Boise has implemented requirements and recommendations:
- Devices should never be left on private property, or in a location that obstructs ADA access, the pathways for pedestrians, bicyclists or motorists.
- Park in designated zones. E-scooters may not be parked in certain areas. Check the mobile app of the E-scooter provider for more information.
- Individuals riding an E-scooter, or any stationless device, should follow proper etiquette. Anyone operating the device recklessly can be charged with a misdemeanor.
- Do a pre-safety check
- Apply brakes to slow down/stop
- Be mindful of obstructions, pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists
- Always follow traffic laws
For issues related to devices being left on private property or otherwise undesignated storage locations in the city, contact the City of Boise Code Compliance at (208) 972-8150 ext. 8 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Companies are responsible for removing the devices within four hours of receiving notification on weekdays, between 6 a.m.-6 p.m., not including holidays. All other times, they have 10 hours to respond.
Help requests, questions around the mobile applications, transactional issues and operational concerns should be directed to the companies:
Lime: 1(888)-LIME-345 https://www.li.me/help
Bird: 1(866)-205-2442 https://www.bird.co/contact-us
How the devices are being used will be reviewed regularly to determine if any code changes need to be made. Boise City Council will revisit the ordinance on Jan. 15, 2019, about three months after they launch.