Knoxville, TN Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone types
- No-ride, parking, event, low-speed
- Set by
- Permit manager via admin regulations
- Sidewalk riding
- Illegal, signage required
- Fleet cap
- 300 PMVs per operator
- Governing section
- Sec. 16-731(m)
Summary
Knoxville requires permitted e-scooter and e-bike operators to honor city-designated no-ride zones, parking zones, and low-speed zones set by the permit manager under its shareable micromobility permit program.
Permitted operators must comply with all administrative zones including any no-ride zones, specific parking zones, special event zones, low speed zones, or other zones authorized by the permit manager or the administrative regulations.(n)All users of shareable PMVs must comply with chapter 17, "Motor Vehicles and Traffic" requirements while operating a shareable PMV, and permitted operators may be held liable for the violations and any damages caused by users of shareable PMVs.(o)All users and permitted operators must comply with National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) parking guidelines for regulation shared micromobility unless in a more specific parking zone.(p)A PMV must never be parked in a way that blocks a sidewalks or hinders ADA access points. (Ord. No. O-160-2021, § 1, 12-14-21)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville runs shareable scooters and e-bikes through a permit system under Chapter 16, Article XVI, capping deployment at 300 devices per operator and limiting the city to two operating permits at a time. Sec. 16-731(m) requires permitted operators to comply with 'all administrative zones,' expressly naming no-ride zones, specific parking zones, special event zones, and low speed zones: the actual boundaries are drawn by the permit manager through administrative regulations rather than fixed in the ordinance text itself. Riding on sidewalks is separately barred, and every scooter must carry signage saying so.
Violations & Fines
Riding into a no-ride zone or otherwise violating administrative zone rules can suspend or revoke the operator's citywide permit under Sec. 16-725, plus a $50-per-day-per-vehicle citation for operating in violation of the article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there no-ride zones for Knoxville's shared scooters?
Can I ride a shared scooter on the sidewalk in Knoxville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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