Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices

Policy number: 9.14

Policy section: Police & Public Safety

Revised Date: August 22, 2023

1.  Definitions

Definitions of capitalized terms are set forth in Appendix A.

2.  Policy Statement

The use of privately-owned Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices are permitted on the SMU campus subject to all ordinances enacted by local governments with authority over the SMU campus, including, but not limited to, City of University Park Ordinance No. 18-048 and Ordinance No. 18-049. The use of shared-use Electric Scooters on the SMU campus is prohibited.

3.  Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to promote safety on the SMU campus while allowing students, faculty, staff, and visitors the use of privately-owned Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices.

4.  Applicability

These guidelines apply to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

5.  Rules of the Road

Use of privately-owned Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices is permitted on the SMU campus subject to the following:

1. Users shall not operate an Electric Scooter while under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances.
2. Users shall be mindful of their safety, the safety of others, and alert to pedestrians and other vehicles.
3. Use may only occur in permitted areas – on designated University Park streets and sidewalks, and on the SMU campus.
4. The speed of Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices must be limited to ten (10) miles per hour or as reasonable for the traffic of both pedestrians and vehicles, whichever is less.
5. Tandem riding is prohibited.
6. SMU Police may issue citations to operators of Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices who violate state law or City Ordinances.
7. Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices are not allowed in SMU owned, leased, rented, or occupied buildings.

Additionally, users must:

1. be eighteen (18) years of age or older,
2. obey traffic rules on campus, including stopping at stop lights and stop signs,
3. stay to the right on all roadways, pathways, and sidewalks, and
4. yield to pedestrians in walkways and sidewalks and provide audible or hand signals when approaching or passing pedestrians

6.  Parking Requirements

1. Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices shall not be parked:
   1. on the sidewalk,
   2. on turf or flowerbeds,
   3. in a street,
   4. at the top or bottom of any stairs or steps,
   5. in any university owned, leased, rented, or occupied building,
   6. in front of entrances or exits to buildings,
   7. in any manner that would impede access to handicap ramps, or
   8. in parking intended for Motor Vehicles.
2. Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices shall be parked upright on hard surfaces, or at bicycle racks.

7.  Restriction on Electric Charging

The charging of Electric Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices is prohibited in any university owned, leased, rented, or occupied building unless it is a mobility device that has been approved by Institutional Access and Equity (IAE) or Disability, Accommodations, & Student Success (DASS) offices.

8.  Policy Enforcement

Students found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Employees found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline in accordance with Policy 7.24 Correction Action for Staff. Campus visitors found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to criminal citation for violation of State Law or City Ordinance.

9.  Safety Recommendations

1. Electric Scooter and Personal Mobility Device users are encouraged to use a helmet when operating.
2. Electric Scooter and Personal Mobility Device users should avoid areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
3. Electric Scooter and Personal Mobility Device users should avoid use of phones, headphones, or earbuds when operating.
4. For safety issues, concerns, or emergencies, contact campus police at 214-768-3333.

10. Additional Restrictions on Use

“Electric Scooters” means motor-assisted scooters as defined by Section 551.351 of the Texas Transportation Code. This definition encompasses all self-propelled devices with:

1. at least two wheels in contact with the ground during operation,
2. a braking system capable of stopping the device under typical operating conditions,
3. a gas or electric motor not exceeding 40 cubic centimeters,
4. a deck designed to allow a person to stand or sit while operating the device, and
5. the ability to be propelled by human power alone.

“Motor Vehicle” means a self-propelled vehicle or a vehicle that is propelled by electric power from overhead trolley wires. The term does not include an electric bicycle or an electric personal assistive mobility device.

Revised: August 22, 2023

Adopted: March 4, 2019