Hoboken Rolls Out E-Scooters: Learn The Rules Of The Road

HOBOKEN, NJ — E-scooters are officially live in Hoboken. But do you know the rules of the road in the Mile Square City?

On Monday, Hoboken became the first city in New Jersey to roll out an e-scooter rental program for residents and visitors. The city has partnered with two companies, Lime and Ojo, during the six-month pilot program.

• See related article: Hoboken 1st In New Jersey To Embrace E-Scooter 'Revolution'
• See related article: Hoboken Prepares For E-Scooters As Gov. Murphy Signs New Law

City officials released a reminder about local laws and regulations for e-scooters, which can be seen below.

Where to ride: E-scooter users are required to ride in the street and are permitted to ride in the city’s bike lanes and on multi-use paths. All e-scooter users must yield to pedestrians and other slower-moving street users.

Where to park: E-scooters must park at either bike racks or on the sidewalk in the furnishing zone (the area of the sidewalk closest to the curb that provides space for items such as bus shelters, benches, street trees, and utilities). The City, in partnership with electric scooter operators, is gradually implementing designated scooter parking areas in the street or daylighting space at inbound legs of intersections. Never park a scooter where it obstructs pedestrian access on sidewalks or at crosswalks. Any scooters parked in this area pose a safety hazard and limit mobility for pedestrians and people with disabilities and will be removed.

Riding on the sidewalk: E-scooter users are prohibited from riding on the sidewalk.

Speed limits: All e-scooters must obey a speed limit of 18 MPH. All e-scooter riders must be 18 years or older.

One rider per scooter: Only one person can ride an e-scooter at a time.

Rental restrictions: The terms of agreements with e-scooter share companies (Lime and Ojo) require that all rentals must be made by the rider of the scooter.

The use of helmets is strongly encouraged.

To report issues directly related to one of the electric scooter sharing companies operating in Hoboken, we recommend that you follow the in-app instructions or contact them using the information listed below:

• Lime Customer Service (24/7 accessibility): Call or text: 1-888-LIME-345, Email: support@limebike.com
• Ojo Customer Service (24/7 accessibility): Call 973-836-9081
• For all other scooter related issues, use Hoboken’s 311 service.

Frequently asked questions about Hoboken’s scooter share program

1. How long will the e-scooter pilot last?

It will last six months, approximately from May 20 – November 20, 2019

2. What will happen after the e-scooter pilot?

The City of Hoboken will conduct a survey of riders and review usage data to develop a report and make recommendations for future e-scooter share programs.

3. Are e-scooters safe?

Yes! Recent studies conducted in Portland, OR and Austin, TX concluded that e-scooters are the cause of no more injuries than bicycles and that a significant share of e-scooter related injuries could have been prevented by wearing a helmet. E-scooters weigh about as much as bike share bicycles and travel at similar speeds as human-powered bicycles.

4. Can I ride on the sidewalk?

No, e-scooters must be ridden in the street only.

5. Should I wear a helmet?

Absolutely.

6. How much does an e-scooter cost to rent?

As of May 2019, Lime scooters cost $1 to unlock and $0.15 per minute to ride. As of May 2019, Ojo scooters cost $1.25 to unlock and $0.18 per minute to ride. Refer to the Lime and Ojo apps for the current pricing.

7. Are there discounts for users receiving financial assistance?

Lime offers a 50% discount for anyone that qualifies for any state- or federally-run assistance program through its Lime Access program. Apply online at li.me/community-impact.

8. Are there e-scooter speed limits in Hoboken?

Yes, e-scooters are prohibited from operating faster than 18 MPH in Hoboken.

9. Are e-scooter rentals available 24/7?

No, currently e-scooters are only available for rental between 5 AM and 10 PM in Hoboken.

10. Is there an age limit to ride an e-scooter?

Anyone 18 or older can ride an e-scooter in Hoboken.

11. Where can I park an e-scooter?

E-scooters can be parked at any bike rack, in designated parking areas if available, or in the furnishing zone of the sidewalk next to the curb. See the image below for more guidance.

12. How can I report e-scooter issues or concerns?

Use Hoboken’s 311 to report issues or concerns with scooters that don’t belong to Lime or Ojo. For reporting issues or concerns with scooters that belong to Lime, follow the in-app instructions or call or text 1-888-LIME-345 or email support@limebike.com. For reporting issues or concerns with scooters that belong to Ojo, follow the in-app instructions or call 973-836-9081.

13. Can I bring e-scooters on transit vehicles?

E-scooters are currently prohibited from transit vehicles in Hoboken. Refer to NJ Transit, PATH, NY Waterways for specific restrictions on their vehicles and in stations.

14. Can I purchase my own electric-scooter?

Yes, you can purchase and operate your own e-scooter in Hoboken if it meets the legal requirements outlined in New Jersey state law.

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