E-Scooter & E-Bike Regulations

Maryland State Law regulates e-scooters and e-bikes under the same code (MD Transp Code § 11-104 (2019)) that regulates standard bicycles. This means that e-scooters and e-bikes must be operated on the road, permitted paths, and abide by all traffic laws and posted signages. These laws include, but are not limited to, stopping at stop signs, obeying traffic signals, riding in the direction of traffic, the prohibited wearing of headsets or earplugs in both ears, and yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians

E-SCOOTERS AND E-BIKES MAY NOT BE OPERATED:

• On sidewalks or in crosswalks. Stick to low-traffic and low-speed areas and use bike lanes where possible. Exercise caution if it is necessary to cross or briefly travel on a busy road. If a sidewalk or crosswalk must be used to reach your destination, step off your e-scooter or e-bike and walk. Pedestrians are unpredictable and vulnerable on sidewalks, and may not be able to anticipate an oncoming e-scooter or e-bike.

• Within campus parking garages. Garage structural elements can reduce driver visibility, making it a challenge for motorists to anticipate oncoming e-scooters or e-bikes.

• While the user is impaired.
• In an unsafe manner. This includes wearing earbuds or headphones while riding, acrobatic riding, distracted riding or more than one rider per vehicle.

E-scooters may not be brought onto Shuttle-UM buses, unless they are foldable. Like standard bicycles, fitted e-bikes can be secured on Shuttle-UM front racks.

The University of Maryland Police Department enforces all traffic laws in accordance with the Maryland Transportation Article (MD Transp Code § 11-104 (2019). As a result, you could be issued a ticket that includes a fine and the possibility of points added to your driver’s license.

All e-scooters must be parked in designated e-scooter parking areas, bike racks or covered bike parking areas.

• You will not be able to end a Veo e-scooter or e-bike trip outside of these areas. Riders will incur fees until the vehicle is parked properly.
• Improperly parked personal e-scooters or e-bikes will be subject to booting or impoundment by university personnel. Relocation, impound, and/or storage fees may apply.

DOTS is responsible for enforcing e-scooter parking regulations.

E-SCOOTERS/E-BIKES MAY NOT BE PARKED IN ANY LOCATION THAT IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR E-SCOOTER/E-BIKE PARKING. THIS INCLUDES:

• In any building lobby, hallway, stairwell or room (including in residence halls and campus apartments) 
• At any entrance to or exit from any building
• On any roadway, street, alley, sidewalk, mall, patio, parking area or lot, or bicycle path, unless otherwise designated
• On any landscaped area 
• In a manner that interferes with or impedes the normal movement of individuals with disabilities, pedestrians, or bicyclists upon ramps, stairways, or curb cuts 
• Adjacent to or chained, locked, or attached to any handrail, tree, bush, door, signpost, lamp, telephone pole, lamppost, fence, or other object not maintained or designated for the purpose of securing e-scooters/e-bikes
• In an area where signs are posted indicating that e-scooter/e-bike parking is prohibited 
• At any designated e-scooter/bike parking area between the end of spring semester and the beginning of fall semester, unless (i) the owner is present on campus and using the vehicle or (ii) the e-scooter/e-bike is a rental unit provided by a third-party micromobility vendor.

EXAMPLES OF PROPER ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY VEHICLE PARKING:

EXAMPLES OF IMPROPER ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY VEHICLE PARKING:

Personally owned e-scooters/e-bikes that have been impounded by university personnel must be picked up at the DOTS office in Regents Drive Garage. Booting, impound and storage fees will apply. Any locks used to secure an improperly parked e-scooter may be removed and possibly damaged by university personnel while relocating the e-scooter or e-bike. The university shall not be liable for the cost of repair or replacement of locking devices. See instructions for reclaiming your booted or impounded device.