In an effort to expand environmentally friendly travel options along the waterfront, the City of Long Beach has begun a year-long pilot program allowing electric scooters on designated sections of the Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path.
The pilot program, which began May 24, will test whether it’s safe for e-scooters to share the same path from Alamitos Avenue to 54th Place as pedestrians, bicyclists and skaters. This move comes as the City looks to support greater accessibility and reduce car traffic near the coast, in line with its broader sustainability goals.
Electric scooters will be restricted to the bike lane and prohibited from pedestrian walkways. The City plans to install clear signage along the route to guide riders and separate modes of travel. Per California state law, scooter speeds are capped at 15 mph, but specific “slow zones” will reduce speeds to 5 mph using geofencing (tracking devices within a designated perimeter) in areas with high foot traffic. Bicycles—electric and traditional—will be allowed to travel up to 20 mph.
The program was made possible after the Long Beach City Council amended local ordinances during its April 1 meeting, voting 6-1 in favor of the pilot program. This follows earlier council discussions held throughout 2024 and early 2025. The initiative builds on recent upgrades along the shoreline, including new food vendors and sports amenities at Junipero Beach.
To ensure the program runs smoothly, approved scooter operators must manage vehicle placement using non-car methods, perform daily maintenance and follow strict parking guidelines. New drop-off and pickup zones—known as corrals—will be created specifically for these shared scooters. Privately owned e-scooters, while still subject to state speed laws, will not be bound by these designated parking rules.
City staff will evaluate the program by tracking data such as ride frequency, duration, trip origins and rule compliance. Helmet use, right-of-way behavior and parking violations will also be monitored. A mid-year progress report will be released at the six-month mark, with recommendations on whether to continue, revise or end the program.
The pilot program will be overseen by the Department of Public Works, in partnership with the Police and Fire Departments, with an early focus on public outreach and education rather than citations. Residents can report issues using the Go Long Beach app.
This is the City’s second attempt at integrating e-scooters into coastal areas. In 2018, a similar pilot program was halted due to problems with improper parking. However, the City notes that no accidents occurred on the path during that previous effort. Advances in scooter technology and city oversight have since helped other communities, including Los Angeles, better manage these systems in beach environments.
The initiative also supports the goals outlined in the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan by promoting low-emission transportation and increasing equitable access to Long Beach’s waterfront. The pilot was first proposed by Councilmember Cindy Allen and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Megan Kerr and Roberto Uranga.
More information about the pilot program is available at lbcity.info/micromobility.
