Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI), the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning Office of Mobility Planning, and the Atlanta Police Department (APD)’s Path Force Unit are collaborating on renewed efforts around safety and etiquette surrounding shareable dockless mobility devices on the Atlanta BeltLine.

The Atlanta BeltLine is a transportation corridor with multiple modes of use in a welcoming community space. The Atlanta City Council passed Ordinance 18-O-1322 on January 7, 2019, which allows the use of shareable dockless mobility devices on  Atlanta BeltLine trails and in City parks. ABI, the City, and APD are partnering to create a safe and enjoyable experience for all people – whether on foot or on wheels. The partnership arose after receiving comments from trail users about the use of scooters, bikes, and other safety infractions along the corridor. As a result, several measures will be implemented during this initial phase to regulate dockless use, address reckless, dangerous, and inconsiderate behavior, and reduce clutter on the trails.

We are still meeting to determine solutions to managing other forms of speed and dangerous behaviors along the corridor.

Shareable Dockless Mobility Devices Speed and Parking

On June 21, 2019 at 6 p.m., the City of Atlanta is implementing a Reduced Speed Zone along the portion of the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail between Monroe Drive and DeKalb Avenue to ensure safe operations of shareable dockless mobility devices during congested periods. Within the Reduced Speed Zone, devices will be geofenced and limited to 8 mph when in operation along the multi-use trail.

The Reduced Speed Zone will be in effect on weekday evenings (Monday – Thursday, 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.), weekends (Friday at 6 p.m. – Monday 6 a.m.), and state holidays (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.). This will include the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. 

Additionally, the City has recommended that operators implement a Transition Zone within 150 feet of the trail to allow users to safely approach, enter, and cross the Reduced Speed Zone.

The City, with technical assistance from ABI, has also identified parking zones along the Eastside and Westside Trails in order to accommodate dockless devices and reduce clutter and allow for accessibility at entrances to the trails. These zones are generally located at most public access points to the Atlanta BeltLine and will be physically marked within the next few weeks.  The parking of devices will not be allowed anywhere on or along the multi-use trails except for in these authorized zones. The City is working with device operators to concurrently update their apps to restrict parking outside of authorized zones.