St. Louis's Mobility & Curb Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles mobility & curb rules a little differently. In St. Louis, Missouri, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

St. Louis permits shared e-scooters under a Streets Department permit framework with operator caps, geofenced no-ride zones, and 15 mph speed limits. Lime and Bird have operated under city contracts; sidewalk riding downtown is restricted.

Key details: Speed cap: 15 mph. Min rider age: 16. Helmet rule: Under 18 required. Sidewalk ban zone: Downtown CBD.

Riding on prohibited sidewalks, riding double, or improper parking can result in a $25-$75 city fine plus operator-imposed suspensions; impounded scooters cost the operator a recovery fee.

Bike Lane Rules

St. Louis Bike STL plan, adopted 2014 and updated 2022, builds out roughly 90 miles of bike lanes including protected lanes on Tower Grove, Chouteau, and the Riverfront Trail. Cyclists must follow Title XV traffic rules and Missouri statute Chapter 307.

Key details: Network length: ~90 miles. Plan year: Updated 2022. Passing law: MO 3-foot rule. CBD sidewalk: Riding banned.

Cycling without a front light at night, riding against traffic, or motorists parking in bike lanes each draw separate Title XV traffic citations and points-eligible fines.

The Bottom Line

St. Louis'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 St. Louis is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that St. Louis 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.