Mobility & Curb Rules in Gaithersburg, MD: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Gaithersburg or are thinking about moving there, mobility & curb rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Gaithersburg has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of mobility & curb rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

Gaithersburg bans leaving dockless scooters and e-bikes on sidewalks in a way that blocks pedestrians. City Code Sec. 19-5 lists exact spots where shared scooters cannot be parked, including driveways, bus stops, loading zones and most public rights-of-way, and lets the city manager designate parking zones by signage.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 19-5. No-park zones: Driveways, bus stops, loading zones, most ROW. Impound authority: City may remove and impound. Vendor notice: Required before disposal of impounded units. Charges: Owner billed per Sec. 14-4.

A bicycle or dockless vehicle left unattended in violation of Sec. 19-5, including on a public road, alley, parking lot or sidewalk, may be removed by the city and impounded. Before disposal, the code requires prior notice to the operating vendor and an opportunity for the vendor to retrieve shared dockless vehicles. The owner is charged for removal and impoundment as provided in Sec. 14-4, and Sec. 19-6A separately makes violations of the article municipal infractions enforceable under Sec. 1-9, with the city also able to seek injunctive or mandamus relief.

E-Bike Classes

Gaithersburg caps e-bikes and e-scooters at 20 mph on sidewalks, dropping to 10 mph when pedestrians are present, bars sidewalks under 3 feet wide, and requires helmets under 16, lights after dark, and no passengers or piggybacked units.

Key details: Sidewalk speed cap: 20 mph, drops to 10 mph near pedestrians. Minimum sidewalk width: 3 feet of flat, paved area. Helmet requirement: Mandatory under age 16. Lighting requirement: Front and rear lights after dusk/before dawn. Passenger rule: No passengers unless seat is manufacturer-compliant.

Violating the Sec. 19-4 sidewalk operating rules, or the Sec. 19-5 parking restrictions for bicycles and dockless vehicles, is enforceable as a municipal infraction under Sec. 19-6A, with a maximum penalty for initial and repeat violations set by city council resolution; the city can also seek an injunction, and an improperly parked or abandoned device may be impounded under Sec. 19-5(d).

The Bottom Line

Gaithersburg's mobility & curb rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Gaithersburg is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Gaithersburg's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.