Dockless Mobility

The City of Alexandria has launched a pilot program to allow private companies to operate shared mobility devices (such as dockless bicycles and scooters available for rent) in the City under a nine month demonstration program. With multiple neighboring jurisdictions experimenting with these devices and some appearing, without permits, on the streets of Alexandria, the time is right for the City to evaluate if and how they might operate here.

Page updated on Aug 12, 2021 at 10:16 PM

What's New

In July 2021, staff shared a written update to City Council on the status of the Phase II Pilot Program, including input from the community collected through focus groups, the Ad Hoc Scooter Task Force, and meetings with key stakeholder boards, commissions, etc. The written update to Council can be found here. 

On August 3, 2021 the Ad Hoc Scooter Task Force met to discuss and vote on a recommendation to Council for future program changes. The Task Force voted and approved a recommendation for future program changes and a recommendation that City Council establish a permanent dockless mobility program. The Task Force's recommendations to City Council can be found here. 


Ad Hoc Scooter Task Force

The Ad Hoc Scooter Task Force will be meeting to craft recommendations to the City Council about the future of the dockless mobility program for Alexandria. The City is currently permitting dockless mobility companies to operate under the terms of the Phase II Pilot Program. A final list of the Task Force members is provided here. Meetings are open to the public and materials will be provided online. 

Meeting #4: Tuesday, August 3, 2021, 7 PM to 9 PM (Virtual meeting)

Meeting #3: Thursday, May 27, 2021 (Virtual meeting)

Meeting #2: Thursday, April 22, 2021 (Virtual meeting)

Meeting #1: Monday, September 21, 2020 (Virtual meeting)

Phase II Pilot Program

2019_11_06_Alexandria Dockless Mobility Evaluation_coverDuring the 2019 Phase I Dockless Pilot Program, the City worked through challenges and made some adjustments to better manage the program. While scooters have been used for around 286,000 trips (through December 2019), issues such as improper parking, unsafe riding and reporting are challenges that require additional regulation and oversight. In order for the City to continue to (and more strictly) regulate scooter companies and riders, a Phase II pilot program with additional recommendations was proposed and approved. Key changes from the first pilot include: 

  • More equitable distribution of scooters across the City
  • A ban on riding scooters on any sidewalk in the City
  • Establishment of an Ad-Hoc Scooter Task-Force
  • Stricter requirements of scooter companies including data sharing requirements and increased permit fees
  • Installation of additional parking corrals

Materials from the City Council Meeting that provide more details on the Staff proposed changes can be viewed here. The Dockless Mobility Pilot Evaluation Report summarizes key findings and draft recommendations from the 2019 Pilot findings and data.

The City began accepting permit applications from operators in January 2020. All operators are required to sign the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding, which described the City's requirements and expectations.

The purpose of the Phase II Pilot was to evaluate changes made from Phase I, engage with the community, and determine whether the City should have a permanent program, and if so, identify the most appropriate permitting or procurement process. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, staff was not able to conduct community outreach events or meet with the Ad Hoc Scooter Task Force as planned for 2020 due to restrictions on gatherings. 


City Council approved a resolution to extend the Phase II Pilot through 2021. The 2020 MOU was amended to authorize the extension of the pilot and requires operators to meet the requirements of the terms of the 2020 MOU in 2021. 

Permits for operation in 2021 have been issued to Lime, Bird, Helbiz, and Link. 

Phase I Pilot Program

Information about the Phase I Pilot Program can be found here. The Dockless Mobility Pilot Evaluation Report summarizes key findings and draft recommendations from the 2019 Pilot findings and data.

Providing Feedback and Asking Questions

To provide feedback on the Phase II pilot program, please fill out this COMMENT FORM. Comments will be reviewed and will be considered as the Pilot is evaluated. Comments or questions received via the form will not receive a response but will be included and posted online for the Phase II Pilot evaluation. If you have a question about the Phase II pilot program, please submit  your comment via Alex311 (keyword scooters), and staff will respond to you within the designated timeframe.  If you need to provide immediate feedback on an improperly parking scooter, please see question #4 in the FAQs below.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 


1. Which companies are allowed to operate in Alexandria?

Lime, Bird, Helbiz, and Link are currently permitted to operate in Alexandria. 

2. Where can I ride a scooter or e-bike?

Scooter and e-bike riding is not permitted on sidewalks per City Code, but is allowed on streets, in bike lanes, and certain trails. Riders must follow all applicable traffic laws and should always ride safely, considerately.

Etiquette for riding scooters in Alexandria

3. Who is in charge of the shared mobility devices?

Individual private companies operate and maintain the shared mobility devices.

4. How do I report bikes or scooters that are left on my property or in another inappropriate location?

You should report the device to the company providing the service with the location of the device, why you are reporting it, and (if possible) the device ID number. Contact information for each company is provided on the devices, and below. 

2021 Operators

Operators no longer permitted in Alexandria

  • Spin e-scooters (black and orange): 888.249.9698 or support@spin.pm
  • Bolt e-scooters (black and yellow): 866.265.8143 or support@micromobility.com
  • JUMP e-scooters (black and red): 888.546.3345 or online request form
  • Lyft e-scooters (pink and black): 877.452.6699 or online request form
  • Razor e-scooters (red and black): 833.5278.6453, Sharesupport@razorusa.com

5. Where should e-bikes or scooters be parked?

Devices should be parked in a way that does not impede pedestrian or ADA access. Do not park on private property or anywhere that cannot be accessed by other users. Additionally, devices should not block access to sidewalks, ramps, entrances to buildings, fire hydrants, bus stops, parked cars, travel lanes, and driveways.

Follow these videos on how to appropriately park scooters or e-bikes:

6. What do I do if a bike or scooter is parked inappropriately? 

If they are parked on your private property, or somewhere that impedes access, you may move the device to a more appropriate location yourself, if possible, or reach out to the company directly and request that they remove the device.

7. Is dockless bikeshare part of Capital Bikeshare?

No. Capital Bikeshare is jointly owned and operated by the City of Alexandria, District of Columbia, Arlington County, the Montgomery County, Fairfax County and Prince George's County. These shared mobility devices are not affiliated with Capital Bikeshare.

8. How do I sign up to use a shared mobility device?

Visit the website/mobile app of the company. You will need a separate account from Capital Bikeshare as there is no affiliation between the two.

9. How many devices can each company deploy?

Each company can deploy up to 200 devices. They can request additional devices based on criteria outlined in the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding, at the discretion of the City Manager. 

Equity and Access

Bird, Lime, Spin, and Razor provide low cost plans for riders who qualify:

Bird and Lime also provide non-smartphone access (SMS or call to unlock devices) and non-credit card payment options.

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