New York, NY Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)

Local Law 74 of 2020 (Section 1, "Shared electric scooter pilot program") gives the New York City Department of Transportation exclusive authority to authorize shared electric scooter systems. e. Citi Bike. Subdivision c caps the program at a duration of no less than one year and no more than two years unless DOT ends it sooner, and if DOT terminates or suspends the program early it must notify the Speaker of the City Council in writing, with reasons, within seven days. Subdivision d is the enforcement teeth: no shared electric scooter organization may put a scooter on the street without the department's prior written approval, and any scooter parked or operated on a public street without that approval can be impounded.

An impounded scooter is not released until removal charges and storage fees are paid, or a bond satisfactory to the impounding agency's commissioner is posted; unclaimed scooters are disposed of as abandoned property. Participating operators also had to keep curb ramps and other accessibility features clear for people with disabilities and work with the disability community on accessible scooter options. Before the pilot's end, DOT owed the Council Speaker a report recommending whether to make the program permanent and what changes to make to the rules governing use of the scooters.