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Springfield, OH Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
Ch. 377, Ord. 21-169 (2021)
Provider requirement
Signed Electric Scooter Use Agreement
Speed cap
20 mph maximum
Street speed cutoff
Barred above 35 mph streets
Minimum rider age
18 years old
Penalty
Minor misdemeanor, § 303.99(b)

Summary

In the City of Springfield, Ohio, Chapter 377 of the Codified Ordinances lets shared electric scooters operate only under a City-issued Electric Scooter Use Agreement. Providers must carry insurance, indemnity, and a performance bond, while riders are barred from sidewalks except on shared paths, capped at 20 mph, and barred from streets posted above 35 mph.

377.03 PROVIDER PROCEDURES. ... (a) Any business seeking to operate a shared electric scooter program within the City shall first enter into an Electric Scooter Use Agreement ("Use Agreement") from the City conditioned on compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance and any other conditions (including insurance, indemnity, and performance bond) established by Use Agreement. (b) No business shall operate a shared electric scooter program within the City except pursuant to such Use Agreement and provisions (each such operator being considered a "Provider"). ... 377.05 OPERATION RESTRICTIONS FOR E-SCOOTERS. Operators of E-Scooters must adhere to the following restrictions: (a) E-Scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks except as described in Section 377.06(a). (b) E-Scooters cannot be operated on streets or highways with speed limits higher than 35mph. (c) E-Scooters cannot exceed 20 mph. ... 377.08 PENALTY. Whoever violates Sections 377.05, 377.06 and 377.07 above is guilty of a minor misdemeanor under Section 303.99(b).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 377, enacted by Ordinance No. 21-169 on June 8, 2021, requires any business seeking to run a shared electric scooter program in Springfield to first sign an Electric Scooter Use Agreement with the City, conditioned on insurance, indemnity, and a performance bond; Section 377.03(b) makes operating without that agreement unlawful, and Section 377.03(d) lets the City terminate an agreement for cause, or for negligent practices left unremedied after 30 days' written notice, and order a Provider's entire fleet removed from the right-of-way within 30 days.

Section 377.05 sets the no-ride zones and operating limits: scooters cannot be ridden on sidewalks except where Section 377.06(a) allows shared bicycle/pedestrian ways, cannot be operated on any street or highway posted above 35 mph, and cannot exceed 20 mph even on a paved level surface. Riders must be at least 18, keep one hand on the handlebars, avoid weaving, and use a seat or standing board if the device has one. Section 377.06(a) permits scooters on shared bicycle/pedestrian ways, in public parks, on streets, and in bike lanes and paths where available, but riders must yield to pedestrians and stay to the right of bicycles in a bike lane. Section 377.07 adds parking rules, barring scooters left blocking ADA paths, fire hydrants, call boxes, bus benches, or utility poles.

Violations & Fines

Running a shared scooter program without a signed Use Agreement, exceeding 20 mph, riding on a street posted above 35 mph, or breaking the parking rules in Section 377.07 by blocking ADA paths, fire hydrants, bus benches, or utility poles is a minor misdemeanor under Section 377.08, which points to Section 303.99(b) of the Traffic Code. The City can also revoke a Provider's Use Agreement for cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone launch a scooter-share business in Springfield, Ohio?
No. Section 377.03 requires any business to first sign an Electric Scooter Use Agreement with the City covering insurance, indemnity, and a performance bond before operating a shared scooter fleet, and operating without that agreement is unlawful.
How fast can shared e-scooters go in Springfield?
Section 377.05(c) caps every E-Scooter at 20 mph on a paved level surface, and Section 377.04 limits the equipment itself to a maximum speed of 20 mph when powered solely by the electric motor. Riders also cannot use scooters on any street posted above 35 mph.
Where can shared e-scooters be parked in Springfield?
Section 377.07 requires riders to park upright on a hard surface at the curb or beside a bike rack, and bars parking that blocks ADA paths, fire hydrants, call boxes, bus benches, utility poles, transit zones, loading zones, disabled parking, curb ramps, entryways, or driveways.
What happens if a scooter provider breaks the rules?
The City can terminate a Provider's Use Agreement for cause, or for negligent practices left unremedied after 30 days' written notice under Section 377.03(d), and require the Provider's entire fleet removed from the City's right-of-way within 30 days.

Sources & Official References

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