Parking a scooter’s a breeze, but getting it right can be tricky if you don’t know how. So, read on to discover how to park a scooter correctly and what mistakes to avoid.

How to park an electric scooter

You’ve zipped across your city and past all the traffic, but now what? It’s time to park that scooter safely.

Here are 5 things to remember about correct scooter parking:

Use designated drop-off zones, available bike racks, or charging docks! Since scooter parking rules differ from city to city, the map in your Bolt app shows you where to park an electric scooter to avoid possible fines;
Lower the kickstand to keep the e-scooter vertical and prevent it from tilting;
Follow road signs and find a location where the scooter won’t obstruct access or cause inconvenience for others — parking against a wall or fence is a good rule of thumb to follow;
When parking on the pavement, leave a 1.5-metre gap from the kerb;
Park on a flat surface to ensure your and the next rider’s safety!

Bolt mandatory scooter parking areas in the Bolt app. How to park a scooter

A screenshot example from the Bolt app with a no-parking zone (in red) and a charging dock sign (with a flash)

The difference you can make when parking a scooter neatly in a designated drop-off zone — and not leaving it blocking a public pathway — is huge.

For wheelchair users, pram pushers, and those with sight impairments (plus many others), a badly parked e-scooter is an obstacle.

Below, you’ll find some common parking mistakes to avoid.

An example of a badly parked scooter outside the designated parking area

Here’s an example of a badly parked scooter: the scooter is outside the designated drop-off area

💡How not to park a scooter

– Don’t block pathways — otherwise, you’ll create obstacles for pedestrians and vulnerable groups;

– Don’t park a scooter on private property — you wouldn’t usually hang around on someone’s private property, so neither should an e-scooter;

– Avoid bus stops and don’t park inside train stations — the great thing about e-scooters is that they form part of a wider city transport network, but that shouldn’t mean blocking access to public transport;

–

Never (!)

park a scooter in front of emergency exits — need we say more?;

– Don’t leave the e-scooter flat on the ground — a tilted scooter blocks pathways and makes it harder for the next rider to start a journey.

-Avoid parking scooters in green areas and forests to protect natural spaces.

Another example of a badly parked scooter blocking a pathway

Here’s an example of a badly parked scooter blocking a pathway

And, of course, it wouldn’t be fair for you to do all the heavy lifting by spotting poor parking and reporting it. We’re here to play our part, too.

Here’s how we ensure scooter parking improves in the cities where we operate.

What we do to promote responsible scooter parking

We save scooters in need

In June 2022, we launched a 3-month-long initiative for Bolt employees to correct poor scooter parking.

The rules were simple — help a scooter or e-bike in trouble (tilted or left somewhere it shouldn’t be) by re-parking it properly, taking a photo, and sharing it with others.

1.5 years later, we’re still going strong with correcting poor scooter parking and setting an example of how to park a scooter correctly:

Bolt employee’s personal ‘before and after’ picture of re-parking a scooter. Learn how to park a scooter.

Bolt employee’s personal ‘before and after’ picture of re-parking a scooter

We educate riders

Education is key to fostering responsible scooter parking and riding habits.

Therefore, in the framework of our Smart Parking 360 system, we encourage new users to learn the basics of scooter riding and parking before their first ride and keep tabs on reckless scooter parking.

If and when needed, we send a rider to take a course in the Bolt Rider Academy.

Bolt Smart Parking 360. Scooter parking guide

Bolt Smart Parking 360 system

We also prioritise in-person training opportunities.

Our latest safety training was held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Visitors could participate in educational activities and even test out the scooter track.

Bolt safety training in Vilnius, Lithuania. People learning how and where to park a scooter

We help cities adopt responsible e-scooter parking

We also take our scooter parking message to the streets. And here’s an example from Lithuania, where we launched the ‘Nedėk skerso’ campaign (translated as ‘Don’t block the way’).

The campaign urged riders to consider their fellow commuters when ending a ride. It focused on preventing obstructions for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars.

But it also highlighted crucial safety themes such as road traffic rules, speed, vigilance, helmet wearing, and responsible riding.

Examples of irresponsibly parked e-scooters inspired the campaign’s visual identity. By showcasing these examples across Lithuania, we raised e-scooter parking awareness at a national level.

Bolt scooter parking campaign in Lithuania

We hope you now know why correct scooter parking is a big deal and how to park correctly.

But if you have any questions, see the FAQ section below on how to park a scooter to keep your city’s streets safe and accessible.

FAQ about scooter parking

How should I park a Bolt scooter?

Find a location away from foot traffic, and don’t obstruct pavements, wheelchair ramps, or building entrances. Choose a flat surface and lower the kickstand with 1 foot while holding the handlebars.

Where should I park a Bolt scooter?

You can park in the designated drop-off zones shown on the in-app map, bike racks, or Bolt charging docks.

Please note that no-parking zones are highlighted in red on the map. Parking a scooter there will result in a fine.

What are the Bolt scooter drop-off zones?

In cities with mandatory drop-off zones, you’ll see them marked in blue on the in-app map. Park your scooter there, following the above guidelines.

In cities without mandatory Bolt scooter drop-off zones, make sure you don’t leave the scooter in a red no-parking zone to avoid possible fines.

How should I park a scooter at a Bolt charging dock?

If you see a charging dock on the street, you can park there. Simply push your e-scooter gently into an empty charging socket, and you’ll automatically end your ride and start the charging process.

What to do if I received a parking fine from Bolt?

Follow the in-app instructions to pay. For questions, contact us through the app: Go to ‘My Rides,’ select the relevant ride, and send us a message.

What to do if I received a parking fine from the city?

If you received a fine from city officials, follow the payment instructions sent to your e-mail.

How to park a scooter

Ready to park your scooter correctly?

Next time you head out on a Bolt e-scooter, you’ll know exactly how and where to park! Try out our e-scooters today and get where you need to go safely!

Your guide to safer e-scooter parking

Rent a scooter! Choose Bolt!

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