Electric Scooters (E-Scooters) in Portland
Before boarding, check out our dos and don’ts for riding e-scooters in Portland.
Like Portland’s bike-sharing service, Biketown, electric scooter sharing, aka “e-scooters” lets users rent vehicles via an app for one-way trips. Powered by an electric motor and maxing out at 15 miles per hour, these e-scooters are another energy-efficient alternative to driving a car.
Quick Tips for E-Scooter Trips
What are the current e-scooter companies in Portland?
Where can I rent a helmet for riding an e-scooter in Portland?
You can rent a helmet at Cycle Portland Bike Tours.
How do I rent an e-scooter in Portland?
- Download the service’s app. (Lime or Spin)
- Find a scooter around Portland.
- Use your credit card to rent the scooter.
The City of Portland has an interactive map to locate scooters and find routes around town for e-scooters.
Find e-scooter providers throughout the streets of Portland: Lime and Spin.
Riding an e-scooter is usually as simple as downloading the service’s app and using it to unlock a scooter. Thinking of taking one for a spin? Here are some essential rules of the road to know before hopping aboard to help keep you — and those around you — safe.
E-Scooter Rules in Portland
- WEAR A HELMET. Oregon law requires e-scooter riders to wear a helmet. (Not wearing one could result in a citation and a $25 fine.) You can rent a helmet at Cycle Portland Bike Tours or get a free helmet at the Travel Portland Visitor Center.
- YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS. Anyone riding an e-scooter is always required to yield to pedestrians.
- STAY OFF THE SIDEWALK. Riding e-scooters on the sidewalk is prohibited. The only time an e-scooter may be on the sidewalk is if it is already parked, being parked on the curb or being walked.
- RIDE IN THE BICYCLE LANE. Ride your scooter with the flow of traffic in a bicycle lane. It is okay to use the vehicle lane when there is no bike lane. (Pro tip: If you can’t spot a visible bike lane, ride your e-scooter on the right side of the lane nearest the sidewalk.)
- PARK ON THE CURB. Never block the sidewalk with an e-scooter. E-scooters must be parked on the sidewalk as close to the curb as possible. Parking an e-scooter in any way that blocks pedestrian traffic is prohibited. (It is especially important that access to sidewalk wheelchair ramps remains unobstructed.)
- ONE PERSON PER SCOOTER. That’s all!
- RIDE WITH CARE. Keep e-scooting fun for everybody by riding with care: Be courteous to other travelers, pedestrians and folks with disabilities, and don’t ride recklessly or in a way that could injure you or others.
- DON’T RIDE IN PARKS. Scooters are prohibited in Portland Parks (including the Springwater Corridor Trail).
- DON’T RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE. Riding a scooter while under the influence of intoxicants is illegal and may result in a DUII.
- DON’T BRING SCOOTERS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT. Scooters are not allowed on buses, MAX Light Rail or Portland Streetcar.
Learn more about Portland’s shared electric scooters.