Charleston has not authorized any dockless shared e-scooter or e-bike program, citing pedestrian congestion in the historic district, narrow sidewalks, and historic preservation concerns.
Unlike many peer cities, Charleston has not approved a shared dockless mobility program for e-scooters or e-bikes. City Council and the Department of Traffic and Transportation cited the historic district's narrow sidewalks, brick streets, and heavy pedestrian volumes as incompatible with dockless operations. Personally-owned e-scooters may be ridden in bike lanes and on streets under 25 mph but are prohibited from sidewalks in the central business district. CARTA bus service provides the primary public transit option. Companies operating without authorization face impoundment of devices.
Personal scooter on prohibited sidewalk: $50-$100 fine. Unauthorized commercial scooter operations: device impoundment plus per-device fines and permit denial.
See how Charleston's shared e-scooter rules rules stack up against other locations.
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