Safety Starts With You

October 2023: Safety Month

Each October our campus celebrates safety month to promote safe transportation habits on and around campus. Visit our safety month page to see upcoming events, giveaways, and learn more about what you can do to create a safer transportation environment at UMD. 

SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU

You are an important part of building a safe micromobility culture on campus. Together we can create a healthy environment for pedestrians, cyclists, scooter operators, and motorists alike.

While micromobility vehicles have been on campus for years, their numbers have increased significantly – and now many are motorized. We have experienced a dramatic rise in unsafe riding practices and reports of accidents and near-misses involving micromobility vehicles.

Do your part, Terps! Safety starts with YOU.

Safety Starts With You logo

SAFE SCOOTING & CYCLING STARTS WITH YOU

  • Ride on the road, in the direction of traffic.
  • On campus streets, position yourself in the center of the lane and avoid riding in the “door zone”,  the shoulder, or in a driver’s blind spot. Follow shared pavement markings for guidance. 
  • If you must use a sidewalk to access your destination, dismount your scooter/bike and walk.
  • Obey traffic signals, stop at stop signs, and stay in your lane. 
  • Yield to pedestrians.
  • Keep your eyes on the road and stay alert. 
  • Be aware of your surroundings and do not wear headphones while riding.
  • Leave 3 feet between yourself and another vehicle when passing.
  • Be predictable, be visible and use hand signals when turning.
  • One micromobility vehicle, one operator. Do not ride with extra passengers. 
  • Wear a helmet.
  • Be visible. Equip your vehicle with front and rear lights. Wear something light or reflective after dark. 

What is Micromobility?

Micromobility vehicles are a range of lightweight, low-speed vehicles driven by users, such as bikes, e-scooters and skateboards.

SAFE DRIVING STARTS WITH YOU

  • Share the road.
  • Slow down! Obey the speed limit and road signs. 
  • Look out!  Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. 
  • Look for micromobility operators before opening your door.
  • Be patient: No tailing, honking, shouting, or trying to squeeze by.
  • Allow at least 3 feet when passing bikes or e-scooters.
  • Do not drive distracted or impaired. 

 SAFE WALKING STARTS WITH YOU

  • Look up and stay alert.

  • Walk on sidewalks.
  • Cross at street corners, use crosswalks, and wait for the walk signal. 
  • Be aware of your surroundings. If you’re wearing headphones keep the volume low.
  • Be visible. Wear something light or reflective after dark.