Tonight the Missoula, MT city council will debate whether to allow e-bike and e-scooter rental services to operate in the city limits.
Councilman Jordan Hess wants to set up rules for scooter companies like Lime, Bird before they arrive in Missoula.
If approved, the ordinance would require bikes and scooters to be parked upright without impeding public right-of-way or ADA-accessible zones. The city would require the e-scooter companies to move the devices within 24 hours if they’re abandoned in public.
The ordinance will also allow electric bikes and scooters to operate on sidewalks, roads, pedestrian paths and bike lanes, unless otherwise prohibited.
Scooter companies would be required to set up “staffed operations” within Missoula and run a 24-hour customer service line.
Fines for violating the scooter rules would cost $25-$100 to the ride.
