Micromobility Program
The City of Gainesville is constantly looking for innovative ways to expand and enhance mobility options. The micromobility program consists of a fleet of shared mobility devices, such as e-scooters and bicycles, for short-term rental from authorized vendors. The devices are available in the right-of-way for ease of use and to facilitate mobility and access. This is one more way the city is furthering healthy, economical and environmentally sustainable transportation alternatives.
The micromobility program is regulated by local ordinance (Article VII, chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances). This ordinance covers topics including the vendor permitting process, vendor deployment maximums and equitable device deployment, device parking and rider safety.
Through this program, users can rent devices, equipped with GPS technology, without the need to return them to a specific location. Authorized vendors offer smartphone applications where riders can locate a device, unlock it and pay for the trip.
Equity
Vendors offer opportunities to locate, unlock, and pay for a trip without the use of a cell phone or credit card. For more information on these alternative rental methods, please contact individual vendors with the information provided on this page or at the web links below.
Vendors also offer discounted rates for micromobility users who qualify. This includes individuals enrolled in a local, state, or federal assistance program (i.e. Medicaid, SNAP, EBT, LIHEAP, WIC, etc.). Discounts must be applied for by vendor. The contact information for these discounts is listed below, by vendor:
Always follow safety guidelines when riding, including:
- Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals
- Follow all the same rules as bicyclists
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Ride as close to the edge or curb of the roadway, unless passing, turning or avoiding a condition or potential conflict
- Yield to pedestrians
- Do not ride at night if lights are inoperable
- Do not ride while wearing headphones
- Wear a helmet
- Never ride under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
Other important safety information:
- Review all (in-app) vendor safety information
- Click on the following links to learn more about current vendors’ safety education efforts:
- Allow plenty of time to practice in a safe, quiet location
- Attend virtual or in-person safety events, coming soon
How and Where to Park
The Dos
- Devices should be parked upright at all times.
- Park in designated parking areas or near racks when possible.
- Always maintain a minimum five-foot clear pedestrian path on sidewalks.
The Don’ts
- Don’t park on private property, including front yards
- Don’t block sidewalks, curb ramps, wheelchair ramps or bus stops.
- Don’t block fire hydrants, call boxes or other emergency facilities.
- Don’t block driveways or on-street parking spaces.
- Don’t park in the street, unless in bike/scooter corrals.
- Don’t park in loading or freight zones.
- Don’t park in parking garages.
- Don’t park in building entryways.
Designated Parking Areas
The City of Gainesville has created preferred micromobility parking areas within the public rights-of-way, on and off-street. These areas have been identified to encourage consolidated and orderly parking in busy areas. These are not signed or marked, but may be viewed in each vendor’s app. Coming soon: Look out for incentives like ride credit for parking in these preferred areas. In addition to the preferred micromobility parking areas, users may park devices in the public rights-of-way in accordance with city guidelines (see “How and Where to Park”).
The University of Florida has also created dedicated micromobility parking spaces within its campus. When parking on UF’s campus, users are required to use these parking spaces and may not park elsewhere. For more information about parking on campus, please visit University of Florida Micromobility (E-Scooters) Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits to allowing for micromobility operations?
- Creates another affordable mobility option
- Promotes sustainability and active transportation
- Increases recreational opportunities
- Complements existing transit service by offering “first-mile / last-mile” connectivity
- Helps reduce traffic congestion and pollution by replacing automobile trips, reduces auto parking demand
How do I rent a bike or scooter?
- Download the app associated with the device you want to ride.
- Fill out the information needed to obtain a membership via the app.
- While using the app, scan the QR code on the device.
- The device will typically make an audible noise to indicate that it is unlocking.
- Before you start your ride, make sure the kickstand is up and in the riding position.
- To end your rental, make sure the device is parked correctly, with the kickstand engaged, and lock the device.
Where can I ride?
Micromobility devices may be ridden on streets and sidewalks, unless otherwise prohibited.
Are there areas where I’m not allowed to ride?
To ensure the safety and comfort of pedestrians, the city of Gainesville has identified “prohibited zones” and “slow zones” (8 mph max). For specific locations of prohibited and slow zones, please refer to within the maps of each company’s app,
Are helmets required to ride a bike or scooter?
Helmets are not required but are strongly encouraged.
How fast do the motorized scooters go?
The City of Gainesville restricts the maximum speed for micromobility devices to 15 mph.
How does the City of Gainesville monitor this program?
The City of Gainesville Transportation and Mobility Department receives data from the permitted vendors. The data shared is non-sensitive information and only pertains to ridership and operation of the system. The city also monitors customer and community feedback.
Why does the City of Gainesville collect a $0.25 fee per ride?
The $0.25 fee per ride will be used to cover the costs of the program and to implement bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements.
How is the City of Gainesville ensuring equitable micromobility service?
The micromobility program requires all participating vendors to provide equity plans that will ensure equitable deployment of micromobility devices (10% of their overall fleet), allow users without capable mobile devices to use the micromobility devices, and have payment/access options for unbanked users.
Further, each vendor offers discounted rides for those who are enrolled in local, state, or federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, EBT, LIHEAP, WIC, etc. Ways to apply for discounted rates by vendor are below:
- Spin
- Phone: 1-888-262-5189
- Web: www.spin.app/spin-access
- Bird
- Veo
- Phone: 1-855-836-2256
- Web: www.veoride.com/veo-access
How do I report an improperly parked bike or scooter?
To report an improperly parked bike or scooter, you can contact the operator directly using the contact information provided on this page, or myGNV.org.