Berkeley regulates shared electric scooters and bikes through a city permit program with operator caps, equity requirements, mandatory parking corrals, and helmet rules under California Vehicle Code.
Berkeley's shared mobility program permits a limited number of e-scooter and e-bike operators citywide, with bid requirements covering equity zones, low-income plans, and data sharing. Riders must be 18 or older, follow CVC bicycle rules, and use designated parking corrals near BART, Telegraph, and Downtown. Sidewalk riding is prohibited and fleet operators are responsible for misparked devices. The program coordinates with UC Berkeley campus rules, which restrict shared scooters on much of the central campus. State law no longer requires helmets for adult e-scooter riders but encourages their use.
Misparked or sidewalk-ridden devices can be impounded; rider tickets for sidewalk riding or wrong-way travel are infractions starting around $200 with state surcharges.
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See how other cities in Alameda County handle shared e-scooter rules.
See how Berkeley's shared e-scooter rules rules stack up against other locations.
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