Improperly Parked e-scooters Seized by City

In late September of 2024, the City relaunched the Shared Active Transportation Program (SATP), which allows vendors to apply for a permit to bring a variety of small vehicles to Albuquerque for people to rent for short trips around town.

Since the program’s launch, three vendors have received their SATP permits: Spin, Lime, and Beam. Between the three vendors, there are 105 designated stations and more than 2,000 e-scooters throughout Albuquerque. However, many of those e-scooters are being left blocking sidewalks, and the vendors' slow response times to reported issues have forced the City to step in.

The Planning Department’s Code Enforcement Division conducted a sweep of the Nob Hill and UNM areas on Friday, March 21 and impounded 38 improperly parked e-scooters. The vendors of these e-scooters will be fined a $100 relocation fee plus a $200 per day storage fee per e-scooter.

“The honeymoon phase is over,” said Planning Department Director Alan Varela. “Our main concerns are everyone’s safety and keeping the right of way clear for pedestrians.”

The City reminds users of e-scooters that they should do so safely and responsibly. All users are required to follow state and local rules. Please remember that any rules that apply to bicycles also apply to e-scooters.

General rules include:

• Helmets are required for anyone under the age of 18 and are encouraged for all users.
• Ride on the right side of the street, with the flow of traffic.
• Do not operate an e-scooter on a sidewalk when there is a wide right lane, bike lane, or multi-use trail adjacent to the road in the direction of travel; when signs are posted prohibiting bicycles on the sidewalk; or when in a business district (areas where at least 50% of the buildings contain commercial, office, or civic uses).
• If you need to ride on the sidewalk, ride slowly and yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians always have the right of way.
• Follow the instructions of official traffic signals and signs.
• Do not bring e-scooters onto City buses.
• Park responsibly – don’t block sidewalks or other pedestrian pathways, intersections, bus stops, or entrances to buildings. Park e-scooters at stations or drop zones, at/near bike racks, or in a landscape buffer, if there is one. If you need to park on the sidewalk, do so in a location that does not block other movement on the sidewalk.
• If e-scooters are not returned to authorized areas the vendor will continue to bill the user for their time.
• If you see a unit toppled over or parked improperly, help out by righting the unit and reporting the issue.
• Using e-scooters can be dangerous. Roadways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, paths, and trails may be dangerous. Users must stay alert at all times and are responsible for their own safety while riding.

These Shared Active Transportation Programs are required by law to have a permit to operate in the City of Albuquerque under Part 8-3-5 of the Code of Ordinances. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the City’s Shared Active Transportation Program, visit cabq.gov/planning/shared-active-transportation.

e-scooter issues can be reported directly to the vendor:

Spin hotline: 1-866-205-2442 or email: [email protected]

Lime hotline: 1-888-546-3345 or email: [email protected]

Beam hotline: 1-888-884-4650 or email: [email protected]

e-scooter issues can also be reported to 311. A 311 operator will make a record of the call and forward you to the applicable vendor.