Austin's e-scooter limit sees decline in ridership, less clutter

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Six months after Austin transportation leaders limited the number of electric scooters permitted citywide, new findings revealed a slight downturn in citywide trips but improvements in minimizing device clutter on city sidewalks, curbs and right of ways.

Austin implemented in May a moratorium restricting new micromobility vendors from coming online, limiting the number to the existing two vendors. The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department also minimized the total number of e-scooter devices from 8,700 citywide down to 6,700, according to a memo shared Monday.

With that reduction, Monday's memo noted a 9% decrease in overall ridership, with more trips being taken on each device. In the downtown core, city staff reduced the number of devices allowed from 4,500 to 2,250, which led to a 14% reduction in overall trips but an increase in trips per devices.

"The new fleet cap has had minimal impact on the individual vendors while leading to less clutter on downtown sidewalks and increasing trips per device," the memo read in part.

That volume of street "clutter" is measured via the number of 3-1-1 requests submitted by community members and TPWD Parking Enforcement staff. The memo's analysis noted a declining volume in 3-1-1 submissions, indicating fewer concerns about street clutter.

To also aid in limiting device clutter, TPWD's memo confirmed parking boxes have been added along Congress Avenue "in high-volume parking areas" to incentivize appropriate parking. Transportation staff are also working with e-scooter vendors on how to enforce a "force park" technology that wouldn't allow riders to park the devices outside approved areas.

One area city officials are still evaluating is how to best address e-scooter speeds without causing potential dangerous consequences. Austin leaders are exploring a limit on the e-scooters' maximum speed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day, with a proposed reduction from 15 miles per hour to 10 miles per hour.

The challenges that exist there, the memo said, is "slowing devices in active roadways with bicycles and motor vehicles could prove dangerous." TPWD is continually collecting data on slow zones in effect along East Sixth Street and Rainey Street.

Come 2025, TPWD will host community engagement opportunities for residents and stakeholders to weigh in on micromobility regulations. An update is expected to be delivered to the Austin Mobility Committee in April, with a follow-up on regulation changes next May.