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Micromobility is here to stay, and it’s changing how we experience urban life for the better. With Unagi’s membership program, you can enjoy all the benefits of a top-tier electric scooter without the sky-high price of ownership or the inconvenience of ride-sharing.
We’re excited to celebrate Unagi’s 5th Anniversary, and we want you to join the fun! To thank you for your support, we're hosting an exclusive $10,000 Airbnb giveaway. No purchase necessary—just enter for your chance to win! Hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/4/2024!
In today’s fast-paced world, finding an efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation is crucial. E-scooters offer a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate urban landscapes. Unagi stands out not only for its superior design and performance but also for its affordability and unmatched rental program.
While e-scooters have been gaining popularity due to their convenience and relatively low cost, they have been getting more attention lately for another reason: battery fires. It's important to understand the potential dangers associated with the battery technology that lies at their core.
In South Carolina, electric scooters exist in a sort of legal gray area. There's no statewide legislation that specifically addresses them.
Understand which personal electric vehicle is best, the choice between an electric bike or electric scooter might already be made for you by some critical factors, including portability and storage capacity.
Whether you use state department rentals such as Bird, Lime or Spin scooters. Or prefer a more portable, lightweight electric scooter to style out your daily commute. Staying both safe and legal is a definite must when riding an electric scooter in Detroit.
We're talking West Side to East Side, Palmer Park Area in the north to downtown Detroit. In whatever public spaces you want to ride your e scooter - Michigan state law applies!
In this article ... we'll run down all the specifics, including speed limits, no ride areas, legal parking and - how many bucks you could be fined if you're caught out!
In 2018, the Michigan Vehicle Code - which covers Detroit - was revised to include the category of, “electric skateboards.” It's the way Michigan law has chosen to define an electric scooter!
Some of the first e scooters to operate on Detroit's public streets and spaces were launched by companies, Bird and Lime, followed by Spin (from the Ford Motor Company).
But at the same time, it was the arrival of the highly portable, lightweight electric scooter - designed for the daily, urban commute by brands such as Unagi - which also helped to kickstart the age of affordable, personal transportation.
The two main methods are:
Hire "dockless" e scooters - which means no fixed "home location". You’ll need to download an app to locate, unlock, and pay for your rides. The hires are run by several different operators across the city, currently, Bird ( available through the Uber app), Lime, Spin, and Link-Up. You will need to pick and drop off your hire scooter off at designated locations.
Take out a monthly (cancel at any time) rental subscription - on your own "personal" scooter from a private company, such as Unagi. Who will deliver your scooter directly to your door.
Electric scooter laws in the US can vary from state to state, and even between counties and local authorities. Particularly, speed limits, and where you're allowed to ride and park.
Under the Michigan Legislature (MCL) for Detroit the following rules apply:
The Code states your e scooter must have "2 wheels", which should be easy enough!
In Detroit, you cannot ride your electric scooter on a roadway:
Unless your electric scooter is equipped with:
Riding bicycles, ebikes and e scooters is not entirely the free-for-all it once was just a few years ago*
*In May 2022, for example, the Detroit Police Department imposed a curfew - 9pm to 6 am | Friday and Saturday - on electric scooter hire in the Central Business District, known as Downtown Detroit. Resulting in the city's scooter hire operators remotely shutting down their fleets.
In the age of the commuter scooter and the new laws, the drive is definitely on for sensible, safe riding. This means:
No passengers allowed (MCL 257.658 | 3) - only one person is allowed to ride an electric scooter at any one time.
Keep to the right (MCL 257.660 | 1) - and in the correct lane when riding on a highway or street. And always be as close as possible to the right-hand side.
In Detroit, Electric scooters must NOT be ridden side by side (MCL 257.660 | 2) - unless you're riding on a pathway in public spaces, which tells you the route is reserved for riding e scooters (or e bikes)
Passing through traffic (MCL 257.660 | 4) - is NOT allowed, unless:
Riding your electric scooter on a Sidewalk (MCL 257.660 | 5) - is permitted. You also have access to ride your electric scooter in bike lanes and on roads.
PLEASE NOTE: In Detroit, pedestrians always have the right of way.
You are also responsible for making your intentions clear to pedestrians and other road users
This means you MUST ALWAYS SIGNAL:
Riding on sidewalks and keeping to the speed limit - these are the big ones for e scooter riders everywhere.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
Michigan laws allow you to legally ride your e scooter on sidewalks in Detroit. However, each local government authority has the power to regulate its own rules in its own area neighborhoods. This can change where you can and cannot ride.
You may NOT be allowed to ride your scooter:
The local authorities must install signs that clearly give you notice of the local restrictions or regulations, which may differ from Michigan laws.
MAXIMUM speed limit is 25 mph - unless you're attempting to cross the highway or street with your scooter.
Where highway or road speed limit exceeds 45 mph - you're not allowed to ride your electric scooter unless you're attempting to cut across.
You can simply subscribe to Unagi All-Access Scooter Subscription, where you can have up to 2 or more free months rental, offered at different times of the year.
It all depends on whether you're parking your e scooter on:
In Detroit the regulations state that electric scooters must be parked in the sidewalk “furniture zone” - outside of the main pedestrian travel area.
Under the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL)
Parking on the Sidewalk (MCL 257.660d 1 | 2):
You should always allow your scooter:
In Detroit, parking your electric scooter on the Street (MCL 257.660d 3 |4):
You can also park:
In Detroit, parking your electric scooter is NOT ALLOWED:
If you park your electric scooter "in such a way that it would obstruct the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle.”
This means your e scooter should NOT be parked in:
-plus-
E scooters also should NOT be parked within 1.5 meters (5 ft) of:
Nor within 3 meters (10 ft) of:
9.1 meters (30 ft) of:
Dockless scooters can be either a flat rate for a 30-minute hire or a number of free minutes. There's also a ride cost of $1 to start, then 15 -33 cents per minute (plus tax), depending on which hire operator you use.
A personal subscription to Unagi All Access Membership currently costs between $59 and $89 per month, depending on the e-scooter model and whether it is new or refurbished.
So, what happens if you do break the law? What are the penalties?
In 2022, the Michigan courts issued a tariff of a "Recommended range of fines and costs ... for first time offenders".
Under the Michigan Code, the maximum total you could be fined ranges from:
In Detroit, you can generally ride electric scooters on the sidewalks, but NOT in every space around the city.
The maximum speed limit is 25 mph, but you're NOT allowed to ride where the speed limit exceeds 45 mph.
It's always important to carefully check where you're allowed to ride and park your scooter and the speed limit on each road and highway.
Take nothing for granted! US states, cities and local departments will set their own rules, which should be clearly signposted for you to follow.
Grab yourself a lightweight electric scooter for fast, affordable commuting in Detroit!
In the U.S., most states don't require a license. For those that do, they usually just ask for a regular driver's license or a learner's permit.
Yes, you can bring an electric scooter on a plane, but it needs to have a lithium battery smaller than 100 watt-hours, which most don't.
Manufacturers advise against riding electric scooters in the rain. The main reasons are: water can fry the electronics, make the ride dangerous, and void your warranty.
“Is my scooter legal?” is a question many are increasingly asking. The micromobility industry is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting in the world—with promises for...in addition to abundances of the basics of time and money savings. And with this pace of innovation comes a struggle for regulation to keep up.
So, you're thinking about joining the electric scooter revolution, huh? You've seen those sleek and stylish scooters zipping around town, effortlessly gliding through traffic, and you can't help but wonder: Are electric scooters easy to ride?
In this guide, we'll break down what defines a lightweight electric scooter, why you should choose one, and the top features you should look for.
Want to get the most out of your electric scooter battery and extend your riding adventures? We've got you covered with our comprehensive guide full of maintenance tips and best practices.
*Disclaimer: Unagi, INC. has used best efforts, but does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the below findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States or internationally. Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin…
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