MICROMOBILITY AT UMD SAFETY REGISTRATION REPORT A MICROMOBILITY VIOLATION

E-SCOOTER & E-BIKE REGULATIONS

(New) Micromobility at UMD Training Resource


Beginning July 15, 2024 all new electric scooter and electric bicycle registrants must first complete and pass the Micromobility at UMD training course. A certificate of completion is required to register.  The training consists of 6 modules and short quizzes:

  1. Campus Regulations and Maryland State Laws
  2. Enforcement and Disciplinary Action
  3. What to do if You’re In a Collision
  4. Parking and Securing Your Device
  5. Electric Micromobility & Battery Safety
  6. Additional Resources

This self-guided resource is available to all UMD students, faculty, and staff. Whether you ride an micromobility device, are considering it, or share the road with one, you are encouraged to review the short training and fud the answers to your questions! Enroll in the course through the Open Learning/ELMS platform with your CAS login.  


SCOOT AND CYCLE SMART

E-scooter and e-bike regulations are implemented for the safety of pedestrians, micromobility riders, people with disabilities and all others who traverse our campus.

OPERATION REGULATIONS

Maryland State Law regulates e-scooters and e-bikes under the same code (MD Transp Code § 11-104 (2022)) 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. Additional information on micromobility enforcement can be found in this Micromobility Enforcement Q&A.

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, 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 (2022). Improper riding could result in you being issued a ticket that includes a fine and the possibility of points added to your driver’s license.

PARKING REGULATIONS

All e-scooters and e-bikes must be parked in designated e-scooter/e-bike 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 and e-bike parking regulations.
If you see an e-scooter/e-bike that is improperly parked please report it to DOTS. 

IMMEDIATE FINE FOR ADA PARKING VIOLATIONS

Bicycle, e-bicycle, and e-scooter owners may be assessed an immediate $35 ADA parking violation fine for any vehicle that is parked in a manner that blocks access to handrails, stairways, ramps, benches, building entrances and exits, or sidewalk curb cuts. Reports of ADA parking violations can come from any member of the UMD community and DOTS will issue the violation to all identifiable micromobility vehicles that are deemed to be violating ADA 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
  • Locking to any other bicycle/e-scooter without the express permission of the owner
  • 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.

ADVISORY: If not used correctly or damaged, the lithium-ion battery in micromobility vehicles has the potential to catch fire without warning, posing a serious risk of injury, fatality, or harm/damage to people or property in the area. For this reason, electric micromobility vehicles are strictly prohibited inside campus buildings. Violators of this policy are subject to:
 

  • Up to $70 of fines ($35 indoor occupancy fine; $35 impound)
  • Immediate impoundment of their electric micromobility vehicle
  • Referral to the Office of Student Conduct or Residential Life Rights & Responsibilities for further discipline.

See E-Bike and E-Scooter Battery Safety Tips from the National Fire Protection Association.

If you see an e-scooter/e-bike that is improperly parked please report it to DOTS. 

EXAMPLES OF PROPER ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY VEHICLE PARKING:

 

EXAMPLES OF IMPROPER ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY VEHICLE PARKING:

 

IMPOUNDING PERSONAL E-SCOOTERS/E-BIKES

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.

ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY SAFETY

Safe scooting starts with you! Follow these guidelines to prevent accidents and create a safe transportation environment at UMD.