Where To Rent Scooters in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to Getting Around on Two Wheels

Scooters are a popular way to get around Atlanta, especially for short trips, avoiding traffic, or exploring intown neighborhoods without hunting for parking. Whether you live here or you’re visiting, you have three main options:

1. Shared app-based electric scooters (the ones you see on sidewalks and corners)
2. Short-term scooter rentals from local shops
3. Longer-term or specialty scooter rentals (mopeds, mobility, or delivery use)

Below is a clear breakdown of how scooter rentals work specifically in Atlanta, where to find them, and what to know before you ride.

Types of Scooter Rentals Available in Atlanta

1. Shared Electric Scooters (App-Based)

These are the stand-up electric scooters you see scattered around Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, and near the BeltLine. They’re usually unlocked with a phone app and rented by the minute.

Typical features:

• Unlock fee plus per-minute rate
• No reservations – first come, first served
• You can usually start and end your ride in any approved area on the map
• Good for quick rides: from MARTA to work, to grab lunch, or to cruise short stretches of the BeltLine

2. Rental Scooters From Local Shops

These are often:

• Kick scooters (non-electric)
• Electric kick scooters with longer battery range
• Sometimes sit-down scooter or moped-style rentals

Local shops usually:

• Rent by the hour, half-day, or full day
• Provide helmets and basic safety instruction
• Have set pickup and drop-off locations, often near tourist areas or popular trails

This setup works well if you:

• Want scooters for a group activity or family outing
• Need a scooter for most of the day, not just 10–20 minutes
• Prefer in-person help, especially if you’re new to scooters

3. Specialty & Longer-Term Scooter Rentals

Atlanta also has:

• Mobility scooter rentals (for people who need help getting around due to mobility limitations)
• Longer-term e-scooter or e-bike rentals for commuting or extended stays
• Occasional moped or small-motor-scooter rentals for street use

These are typically arranged through mobility service providers, rental shops, or dealerships and often require a reservation, deposit, and sometimes a driver’s license.

Where You’ll Actually Find Shared Electric Scooters in Atlanta

App-based scooters cluster in high-demand, walkable parts of the city, especially where public transit, jobs, and entertainment intersect.

Common areas where people commonly find scooters:

• Downtown Atlanta

  • Around Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and State Farm Arena
  • Near major hotels and the Peachtree Center MARTA Station

• Midtown

  • Along Peachtree Street, 10th Street, 14th Street
  • Around Midtown MARTA Station, Arts Center Station, and Georgia Tech
  • Near Piedmont Park (check local signage for no-ride or slow zones)

• Old Fourth Ward & BeltLine Eastside Trail

  • Near Ponce City Market (675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE)
  • Along the Eastside BeltLine where many riders use scooters to move between restaurants, bars, and parks

• West Midtown / Georgia Tech Area

  • Around Northside Drive, Howell Mill Road, and student housing areas
  • Popular with students heading to campus or nearby shops

Each company’s app map will show you exactly where scooters are available and where you’re allowed to park.

How Shared Scooter Rental Works in Atlanta

Even if you’ve used scooters in other cities, Atlanta has some local rules and patterns worth knowing.

Step-by-Step: Renting a Shared Electric Scooter

1. Download the provider’s app
   • Create an account and add a payment method.
2. Check the in-app map
   • Find the nearest available scooter in your “Ride Zone.”
3. Scan to unlock
   • Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the scooter.
4. Read the local rules in the app
   • Most operators show a quick summary of Atlanta-specific riding and parking rules before your first ride.
5. Ride in the correct place
   • In most of Atlanta, you’re expected to use bike lanes or streets, not sidewalks in busy commercial areas.
6. End your ride properly
   • Park in a legal, designated area and confirm the ride has ended in the app.
   • Many areas require parking near bike racks or designated scooter parking zones, especially Downtown and Midtown.

Rules and Safety: What Atlanta Riders Need to Know

The City of Atlanta has put local guidelines in place to keep scooters from becoming a free-for-all.

Where You Can Ride

• Generally:
  • Use bike lanes when available.
  • You may ride in the street (usually near the right side of the lane).
• Sidewalks:
  • Often not allowed in busy commercial areas, especially Downtown and Midtown, due to pedestrian safety.
• BeltLine:
  • Electric scooters are commonly seen on the Eastside BeltLine, but there may be speed limits, slow zones, or dismount areas, clearly marked with signs or in the app.

Always watch for:

• No-ride zones (the scooter may slow or shut off in these areas)
• Slow zones (speed automatically limited)
• No-parking zones (the app won’t let you end the ride there)

Time-of-Day Restrictions

Atlanta has had nighttime restrictions on scooter rentals in the past, especially late at night. Depending on current rules and company policies:

• Scooter rentals may be unavailable after a certain hour, often around late evening or after midnight.
• Check the app: if you try to rent outside allowed hours, it may show “service not available”.

Age, Helmet, and Riding Tips

• Age: Most companies require riders to be 18+ or close to that age, with a valid driver’s license or ID.
• Helmets: Often recommended and sometimes provided by shops for day rentals. Shared app scooters typically do not include helmets, so bring your own if you plan to ride frequently.
• One rider per scooter: No doubling up; it’s unsafe and often against the user rules.
• Follow traffic laws: Stop at red lights, yield to pedestrians, and ride predictably.

Local Rental Shops and In-Person Options

If you prefer to talk to a person and physically pick up a scooter, you can look for:

• Bike and scooter rental shops near:
  • Piedmont Park
  • The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Downtown tourist areas
• Some shops rent:
  • Electric kick scooters by the hour or day
  • Non-electric scooters for kids or adults
  • Guided tours that include scooter rentals

Because individual businesses can change locations or offerings over time, it’s usually best to:

• Call ahead to confirm:
  • Hours
  • Scooter type (electric vs. non-electric)
  • Pricing and deposit requirements
  • Age/ID requirements

Mobility Scooter Rentals in Atlanta (For Accessibility Needs)

If you need a mobility scooter (for example, for limited walking ability), Atlanta has several options that focus on accessibility.

Common features of mobility scooter rental services:

• Delivery to hotels, homes, or event venues in the Atlanta area
• Daily, weekly, or event-based rentals
• Scooters designed for:
  • Visiting attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta
  • Conferences at the Georgia World Congress Center

You’ll typically:

1. Call or book online in advance.
2. Provide your drop-off location and dates.
3. Arrange for return pickup at the end of your rental.

If you’re going to a large event space, you can also contact:

• Georgia World Congress Center Authority
  285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
  Atlanta, GA 30313
  Main phone: (404) 223-4000

Ask if there are on-site or preferred mobility scooter rental partners for your specific event.

Planning Scooter Use With MARTA and Other Transit

Scooters pair well with MARTA rail and bus, especially for “last mile” connections.

Areas where this is especially useful:

• Midtown Station → scooter to Piedmont Park or Ponce City Market
• Five Points Station → scooter around Downtown destinations
• Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station → scooter to the BeltLine Eastside Trail and local restaurants

Tips:

• Check MARTA rules for bringing personal scooters on trains and buses (folded scooters are usually easier).
• For app-based scooters, you can often:
  • Exit the MARTA station
  • Unlock a scooter nearby
  • Ride to your final destination without needing a car

For general transit info, you can contact:

• Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
  Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  Customer Service: (404) 848-5000

Where and How to Park Scooters in Atlanta

Improper parking is one of the most common complaints, so Atlanta has tightened rules in busy districts.

General guidelines:

• ✅ Do park:
  • Near bike racks
  • In designated scooter corrals or marked parking areas
  • On the edge of the sidewalk where it doesn’t block walking paths or doorways
• ❌ Don’t park:
  • Blocking sidewalks, ramps, or crosswalks
  • In the middle of pedestrian-heavy zones
  • Directly in front of business doorways or driveways

Many scooter apps will show photographic examples of acceptable parking and may ask for a photo when you end your ride.

Quick Comparison: Scooter Rental Options in Atlanta

Who to Contact About Scooter Rules in Atlanta

If you have questions about regulations, parking enforcement, or permitted zones, the City of Atlanta can offer official guidance.

Key city contact:

• City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT)
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 4700
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: (404) 330-6501

You can ask about:

• Where scooters are allowed or restricted
• Current operating hours or policy changes
• How to report improperly parked scooters

Practical Tips for Renting Scooters in Atlanta

• 🕒 Check app availability before you rely on a scooter for time-sensitive appointments.
• 📍 Zoom in on the in-app map to see no-ride and no-parking zones, especially Downtown and Midtown.
• 🧠 Plan your route to use bike lanes where possible (e.g., along Peachtree and 10th Street in Midtown, or the BeltLine).
• 🪖 Bring a helmet if you’ll be riding more than casually.
• 💳 Watch the clock: per-minute costs can add up. For longer use, a day rental from a shop may be more predictable.
• 🔋 Check battery levels before unlocking; Atlanta’s hills can drain scooters quickly.

By understanding how scooter rentals work in Atlanta, where they’re concentrated, and what local rules apply, you can choose the option—shared app scooters, local shop rentals, or mobility scooters—that fits your trip, commute, or day out in the city.