New federal rule limits e-scooters and hoverboards in national parks

Starting Sept. 11, riders of electric scooters, hoverboards and Segways in national parks will be limited to the roads, paths, trails and other areas a park superintendent specifically designates. Even then, riders may use only improved surfaces such as pavement or gravel unless a park adopts additional rules. The devices remain barred in wilderness — the rule prohibits even possessing one in a statutory wilderness area, and says superintendents cannot override that by designating a location.

The rule is a distinct new framework, not an update to existing policy. The National Park Service's earlier rule on e-bikes took effect in 2020 and explicitly did not cover e-scooters or similar devices. That gap stood until this rule closed it, five years and nine months later.

For Alaska park units, this new framework lands on top of rules that do not apply in the Lower 48. Interior regulations here, implementing the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, govern motor-vehicle and nonmotorized surface transportation in Alaska's park units, and the final rule notes that "additional allowances apply to the use of motor vehicles in System units in Alaska" under them.

The rule defines powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, bicycles and e-bikes, and says most are designed to travel at or below 20 mph, though some can reach 30. It does not change federal policy on mobility aids used by people with disabilities.

Sixty-three people and organizations commented on the proposed version, and the Park Service made no substantive changes in response. Several asked it to limit what superintendents may allow — proposing everything from banning the devices outright to permitting them only for people with disabilities — and the agency answered that the sheer range of suggestions showed how hard a single national rule would be to write. Companies that rent the devices, and accessibility advocates, said the rule could cut car traffic and emissions in urban parks.