The Omaha Police Department will enforce traffic laws that apply to shared scooters.
When operating scooters on streets, riders must abide by the rules of the road. The City’s Request for Bids, the Operating Agreements with Lime and Spin, and the user agreements, require users to ride only on streets, and where available, in bike lanes.
Specifically, the agreement between the City and the companies requires Lime and Spin to provide notice to riders through a mobile app or website that riding on sidewalks, Pedestrian Through-way Zones and restricted areas is not allowed.
City Municipal Code and State Statute prohibit operation of scooters on sidewalks:
Municipal Code Sec. 16-163. - Operation in public places prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether he be the owner, driver or operator of any motorized cart, minibike, motor scooter or motorcycle, to use, operate, drive or race the same on any public property, public sidewalk or public place in the city
Municipal Code Sec. 36-136 - Driving over curb or sidewalk.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the operation of a motor vehicle to drive or park a motor vehicle along, upon or across any curb or sidewalk except at a duly authorized and established crossing
Nebraska Statute 60-6,178
Driving upon sidewalk; prohibited; exception. No person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.
This weekend, officers will give warning citations to riders on the sidewalk. Beginning Monday, May 20, 2019, riders on the sidewalk will be ticketed. Additionally, operators can receive a citation for traffic violations such as running red lights or stop signs, driving on the wrong side of the street, and other “rules of the road” violations.