Sharing the road with e-scooters

By the end of this topic you can

• You can scan for e-scooter riders in bike lanes, at crosswalks and coming off sidewalks.
• You can pass a scooter rider with plenty of space and at a safe speed.
• You can make right turns across a bike lane without cutting off a rider.
• You can open your car door safely using the far-hand reach.
• You can predict sudden moves caused by potholes, tracks and small wheels.

What you need to know and understand

• Where scooters are allowed, riders usually have the same right to use the road or bike lane as cyclists, and drivers must yield to them where the law requires.
• Many states require drivers to give at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist; giving scooter riders at least the same space is safe practice. Passing laws vary by state.
• Scooter wheels are small, so riders may swerve suddenly around potholes, drains and rail tracks.
• Riders can appear quickly from sidewalks, driveways and between parked cars, especially where sidewalk riding is common.
• In some states, such as California, scooters are limited to 15 mph, so you will often catch up and need to wait to pass.
• Opening a door into a rider's path, called dooring, can cause serious injury and is illegal in many states.
• Scooters are quiet and narrow, so they are easy to miss in mirrors and blind spots.

Where riders come from

Expect scooter riders in bike lanes, at the right edge of the road, crossing at crosswalks and rolling off curb ramps. In downtown areas and near colleges, shared rental scooters can appear in large numbers, including riders who are new to them.

At every intersection and driveway, add a quick look for small, fast-moving riders along with pedestrians. Check your right mirror and blind spot before any move to the right.

Passing and following

Stay well back when following a rider, because they may brake or swerve with little warning. Only pass when you can give a wide gap and see clearly ahead, and move fully into the next lane if it is safe and legal. Never squeeze past in the same lane on a narrow road.

Do not honk at riders as you approach unless there is real danger; a sudden horn can startle them into a fall.

Turning right across a bike lane

1. Check your right mirror and blind spot well before the turn for scooters and bikes coming up behind.
2. Signal early so riders know what you plan to do.
3. If your state allows it, merge into the bike lane before the turn only when it is clear, following your state manual.
4. Yield to any rider already alongside or just behind you; never turn across their path.
5. Make the turn slowly and look again for riders crossing at the crosswalk.

Doors and parking

Before opening your door on the street side or next to a bike lane, check your mirror and look over your shoulder. Opening the door with the hand farthest from it, often called the Dutch reach, turns your body so you naturally see behind you. Ask passengers to do the same.

When parking, keep out of bike lanes and leave curb ramps clear. A car blocking the bike lane forces riders into traffic.

Common mistakes

• Looking only for cars at intersections. Add a deliberate check for scooters and bikes.
• Passing too close because the rider is small. Give at least the space you would give a cyclist.
• Turning right straight after overtaking a rider. Stay behind and let them clear the intersection.
• Flinging the door open without looking. Check mirrors and use the far-hand reach.
• Stopping or parking in the bike lane. Keep it clear so riders do not have to swerve into traffic.

Test yourself: Sharing the road with e-scooters

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• North Dakota Road Test and the Driver’s Ed Waiver
• Truck No-Zones, Bike Passing and Motorcycles