The City of Houston is proposing updates to its current scooter ordinance that could ban rental scooters in public right-of-way areas across Downtown, Midtown, and East Downtown.
The changes will be reviewed Thursday during a meeting of the City Council’s Quality of Life Committee. If passed, the amendment to Chapter 45, Article XIV would prohibit the operation of rental scooters in designated zones, potentially affecting several local businesses and transportation options for residents and visitors.
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What does the city say?
City officials say the update is aimed at improving safety. According to a city presentation obtained by KPRC 2, scooter crashes have risen more than 600% since 2021—from 3 incidents that year to 21 crashes in 2024, including two fatalities.
A map shared with council members shows that 53% of reported crashes occurred in downtown Houston, where most scooter rental companies are based.
The city’s enforcement task force also cited issues such as blocked sidewalks, unregulated vendors, noise complaints, and even criminal activity tied to scooter use, including weapons possession.
“We’ve seen a major spike in accidents downtown—so this ordinance is about putting public safety first and protecting walkable areas in the city,” said Councilmember Julian Ramirez, who chairs the committee overseeing the proposed changes.
What business owners say
Some local business owners say they’re following the rules and are now being punished for the actions of illegal operators.
Maisam Pervez, co-owner of Bolt Scooters, said his company has operated legally in Houston since 2021, with strict safety measures in place. His shop requires ID verification, in-person waivers, and returns scooters to a private storefront to avoid street clutter.
“We operate proper business, our fleet is maintained on a daily basis,” Pervez told KPRC 2. “We take the responsibility at the end of the day to make sure that our customer, our community, and our city is being safe at all times.”
Pervez said his team launched an online petition last week and gathered over 1,100 signatures in just a few days. He believes responsible businesses should be included in the solution—not pushed out entirely.
“Our future, millions in investment that we have done for this industry... Houston is one of our biggest markets. So if you take the bread and butter from us, we would basically go back up,” he said.
What’s next?
The Quality of Life Committee will hear public comment on the proposed ordinance update Thursday, July 24 at 10 a.m. at Houston City Hall. Business owners, including Pervez, say they plan to attend and speak directly to council members.
If the committee advances the changes, the ordinance could go to a full council vote in the coming weeks.
How to weigh in
Houston residents can sign up to speak at the committee meeting by emailing atlarge1@houstontx.gov or visiting the City Council’s committee page by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 23.
