The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) today announced the launch of a dockless bike and scooter parking initiative to support the growing demand for dockless vehicle transit options across the city.  Designated parking corrals are being installed at key city locations for organized dockless bike and scooter parking.  The new corrals include specific areas for parking rented scooters, along with bike racks for secure bike parking. 

As the City of Baltimore implements its Complete Street Ordinance, the BCDOT is committed to providing a transportation system that safely accommodates all users, including those who are walking, bicycling and utilizing e-scooters.  To accommodate the use of active transportation modes, BCDOT has selected its first 30 parking corral locations across the city, and installations have begun.  By creating and promoting the use of these special parking corrals, sidewalks can be kept clear for people walking, pushing a stroller, or traveling in a wheelchair.  Scooters may be placed in the designated corrals each morning for residents to rent, and parking in corrals is encouraged throughout the day.  Dockless vehicle providers Lime and Spin show these designated locations on their mobile applications, and Spin offers ride discounts to patrons that utilize corral parking.

Costs of the parking corrals are funded through permitting fees paid by the dockless vehicle providers (Lime and Spin) to the City of Baltimore.  These fees are reinvested back into the city’s dockless initiative for the installation of parking corrals, maintenance of bike facilities and management of the program.  BCDOT will work to install additional corrals across the city, post the locations online, and require vendors to include these locations in their mobile applications for rented vehicles.  Locations with high ridership near transit stops, shopping districts, bike facilities, and other amenities will be prioritized for future installation.  A map of existing parking corrals can be found here.

The BCDOT would like to remind all dockless vehicle users to leave 4 feet of passable space on the sidewalk when parking a scooter or bike and not to block doors, driveways, transit stops, or sidewalk ramps.  Any dockless scooter or bike that is blocking a sidewalk, left on private property, or otherwise illegally parked can be reported to the company who owns the vehicle.  All vehicles have contact information printed on them and companies must respond to repositioning requests within 6 hours.  If requests are not handled in a timely manner or there is a recurring issue, they should be forwarded to BCDOT by emailing dot-community@baltmorecity.gov.

Residents who wish to learn more about how proper dockless vehicle operation and parking on our roadways can affect others should watch a special public service announcement created by BCDOT and the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, and presented by the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities: https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov/dockless-vehicle-video-psa

Information about the city’s Dockless Vehicle program, including low-income, cash payment, and non-smartphone options for rentals can be found here: www.transportation.baltimorecity.gov/bike-baltimore/dockless-vehicles  

Residents can request a bike rack or suggest locations for parking corrals at: www.transportation.baltimorecity.gov/bikerackrequestform 

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