Electric scooters add a buzz to city sightseeing

The latest way to sightsee requires an app, a sense of balance and a thumb to operate a throttle. Dockless electric scooters are a great way to explore a city, says Paul DeMaio, who manages the bike- and scooter-share programs in Arlington, Virginia. “It can be a lot of fun.” In some areas the programs, which offer short-term rentals for just a few dollars, have been controversial: Parked scooters can block sidewalks, and inexperienced, unhelmeted riders have been injured. But cities have adopted regulations, and the popularity is booming. “It’s surprising how quickly they have caught on and spread,” says DeMaio. He shares some scenic places to scoot with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Santa Monica, California

This beachfront city was one of the first to regulate scooters and dockless bikes. A special slow zone caps scooter speeds on the busy boardwalk, and the city also has painted-off corrals to park the vehicles and keep them from cluttering up the waterfront. “It’s one of the very first scootershares in the country,” DeMaio says. santamonica.com

Paris

One of the world’s top tourism cities has embraced the electric scooter, giving visitors and residents a breezy alternative to the Metro. But the vehicles are only allowed on streets and bike paths. The trottinettes, as they’re called in French, aren’t left out to litter the sidewalks, either. As in most places, the entire fleet is picked up every evening and redistributed around the city by the next morning. en.parisinfo.com

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Washington

Already home to a successful bike-share program, the nation’s capital has gone all-in for scooters. “D.C. was pretty welcoming early on,” DeMaio says. But visitors do need to know the regulations: The vehicles aren’t allowed on sidewalks in the central business district, which includes the National Mall and the White House area, and speeds are capped. washington.org

Denver

The Mile High City offers plenty of scooter choices, providing another option for visitors to make their way to the booming city’s food halls, museums and parks. New regulations ban the vehicles from most sidewalks and the city’s 16th Street pedestrian mall. The growing usage may be coming at the expense of the city’s bike-share program, which has seen a drop in riders. denver.org

San Francisco

While cable cars remain the city’s transportation icon, scooters have caught on with both residents and visitors. Still, the city has played hardball with the scooter industry, only allowing two companies to operate in the municipality, although that’s under appeal. “They were looking for the best actors out there in terms of those willing to work with the city,” DeMaio says. sanfrancisco.travel

Charlottesville, Virginia

This historic college town has quickly adapted to scooters, which first arrived in the fall. They provide an easy way to zip around commercial areas, and on streets through the scenic University of Virginia grounds. Regulations require the vehicles to stay off sidewalks, and limit usage in pedestrian-heavy areas like the Downtown Mall and the college’s Lawn area. visitcharlottesville.org

Tel Aviv, Israel

Scooters have taken off in Israel’s largest city, traffic-choked and tech-focused Tel Aviv. Riders are required to wear a helmet and restricted to bike trails, although they’re permitted on streets where no paths are available. Popular with weekday commuters, the vehicles are also often used for outings to the city’s Mediterranean beaches. Rentals climb on the Jewish Sabbath, when the city’s public transportation doesn’t operate. goisrael.com

Austin, Texas

The Lone Star State capital has scooter fever with thousands on the streets, and more than a half-dozen providers licensed to operate. The city even has designated scooter parking zones. “It’s one of the largest (programs) in the country,” DeMaio says. One company, Ojo, plans to offer Vespa-style sit-down scooters with Bluetooth-enabled speakers. austintexas.gov/docklessmobility

Charlotte, North Carolina

North Carolina’s largest city has embraced the e-scooter, but bans them from sidewalks in the Uptown area and limits vehicle speeds. Rental companies require riders to be over 18, and to have a driver’s license. charlottesgotalot.com

Portland, Oregon

When reports began pouring in from other cities about sidewalks being overrun with scooters, Portland took a cautious approach, authorizing a four-month pilot last year. But scooters were so well-accepted, the city has plans to welcome the vehicles again this year. “Cities are trying to protect the public and limit the negative impacts as much as possible,” DeMaio says. travelportland.com