Electric Scooter Regulations

Maryland State Law regulates e-scooters under the same code that regulates standard bicycles. This means that e-scooters must be operated on the road and follow all traffic laws. 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 may not be operated:

• On sidewalks or in crosswalks. Stick to low-traffic and low-speed areas and use bike lanes when 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 and walk. Pedestrians are unpredictable and vulnerable on sidewalks, and may not be able to anticipate an oncoming e-scooter.
   

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

• 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. 

The University of Maryland Police Department enforces all traffic laws in accordance with the Maryland Transportation Article. 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 trip outside of these areas. Riders will incur fees until the vehicle is parked properly.
• Improperly parked personal e-scooters will be impounded by university personnel. Relocation, impound, and/or storage fees may apply.

DOTS is responsible for enforcing e-scooter parking regulations.

E-scooters may not be parked in any location that is not designated e-scooter parking. This includes:

• In an area where signs are posted indicating that e-scooter parking is prohibited 

• 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 impede 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

• At any designated e-scooter 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 is a rental unit provided by a third-party micromobility vendor.

Examples of proper e-scooter parking:

Examples of improper e-scooter parking:

Personally owned e-scooters will be impounded by university personnel and must be picked up at the DOTS office in Regents Drive Garage. 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. The university shall not be liable for the cost of repair or replacement of locking devices.