Jan 3, 2024
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.
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:
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.
| – 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. |
If you’re careful enough not to make those mistakes but still see a poorly parked scooter, please report it through the Bolt app or via our webpage.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you received a fine from city officials, follow the payment instructions sent to your e-mail.
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!
