Mobility & Curb Rules in Phoenix, AZ

If you live in Phoenix 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. Phoenix has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of mobility & curb rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

Phoenix bars riding electric scooters on sidewalks and lets the Street Transportation Director designate no-parking zones; scooters left in prohibited spots or parked over seven days can be towed at the owner's expense.

Key details: Sidewalk riding: Banned citywide. Removal trigger: Parked over 7 days. Removal cost: Billed to owner. No-park zones: City-designated. Minimum rider age: 16 years old.

Blocking a sidewalk, curb ramp, transit zone, or entrance, or leaving a scooter over 7 days, triggers City removal and an owner-billed recovery fee (§ 36-305.C-D); riding on a sidewalk is a separate citable offense under § 36-304.

E-Bike Classes

Phoenix defines three e-bike classes by motor speed cutoff, bans all electric bicycles from sidewalks, and separately bars Class 3 e-bikes and tricycles from sidewalks, alleys, and public rights-of-way; riders must be at least 16.

Key details: Class 1/2 assist cutoff: 20 mph. Class 3 assist cutoff: 28 mph. Minimum rider age: 16. Class 3 riding zone ban: sidewalks, alleys, rights-of-way. Minimum fine: $100 civil traffic offense.

Civil traffic offense with a mandatory minimum $100 fine; Class 3 e-bikes riding on a sidewalk, alley, or right-of-way violate Sec. 36-514 on top of the general sidewalk ban.

TNC Pickup Zones

Phoenix reserves a fixed share of Sky Harbor's terminal curb for Uber and Lyft pickups, rising to 50% of linear curb footage by 2022 and adjusted yearly after that.

Key details: TNC curb share: 50% (adjusted annually since 2023). Enforced by: Aviation Director. Trip fee (2024): $5.00 pickup/drop-off. Zone rule: Stop only in posted TNC area.

Stopping outside the posted TNC zone or dodging trip tracking is a civil violation under Sec. 4-77, with escalating fines from $100 to $500 for repeat offenses within 36 months; some violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The Bottom Line

Phoenix'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 Phoenix is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Phoenix can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.