SAFETY IS NOT A GAME: Level up Your Scooting
Be sure to follow UMD e-scooter operation and parking regulations, and review the safe riding guide below to protect yourself and others.
If you don’t have an e-scooter or e-bike of your own, Veo and Capital Bikeshare provide shared bikes and e-scooters/e-bikes at a discounted rate for students, faculty and staff.
LEARN HOW TO OPERATE YOUR E-SCOOTER OR E-BIKE
If you are a first-time rider or are unfamiliar with how your e-scooter or e-bike operates, review the operation and safety information provided by your e-scooter’s operating company. Practice stopping, starting and using your body weight to gradually turn and change lanes.
Before you ride, check your:
- Charge: Make sure your e-scooter or e-bike has enough charge to get where you’re going. Please note that there are no dedicated micromobility charging stations on campus.
- Frame: Push forward and backward on the handlebars to check the frame is in good condition.
- Riding Gear: Test the lights, breaks, throttle and tires.
- Hazards: Check to make sure any exposed or rusted bolts, cabling and accessories are secure before you ride. Follow the latest battery safety advice to prevent fires.
If you are using the Veo app, go to Settings and turn on Education Mode. This will turn on safe riding instructions and automatically limit your speed.
Ride on the road
Stick to low-traffic and low-speed areas and use bike lanes or trails when possible. Exercise caution if it is necessary to cross or briefly travel on a busy road. If a sidewalk is the only way to reach your destination, step off your e-scooter/e-bike and walk.
Bike Lanes have arrived at UMD!
Check out our Bike Lane Safety page to learn more about safely navigating this new infrastructure.
Follow the rules of the road
Maryland State Law (MD Transp Code § 11-104 (2019) regulates e-scooters and e-bikes under the same code that regulates standard bicycles, and university regulations prohibit sidewalk riding. This means that e-scooters/e-bikes should be operated on the road or on permitted trails and must 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, and yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians.
The UMD Police Department is responsible for enforcing micromobility moving violations. The registered owner is responsible for all traffic citations. The Micromobility FAQS provides additional information about reporting parking and riding infractions and what to do in case of an accident.
Always yield to pedestrians
When you see a pedestrian in your right-of-way, slow down and come to a complete stop if you are at an intersection. When passing a pedestrian on a trail, announce that you are “on your left”, ring your bell and wait for their acknowledgment before passing them.
Wear a helmet
The university has adopted a new interim policy requiring helmets for micromobility vehicle riders. For more information, see the helmet policy FAQs.
Helmets are available for a discounted price at the DOTS office in Regents Drive Garage. We also host many helmet giveaway events throughout the year. Consider wearing additional protective gear, such as wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads.
Do not wear headphones or earbuds while operating an e-scooter/e-bike
Earbuds and headphones are a distraction that prevents you from anticipating other vehicles and pedestrians.
No more than one person at a time should operate an e-scooter or e-bike
It is unsafe for more than one individual to ride on a single e-scooter/e-bike.
Keep your eyes on the road and both hands on the handlebars at all times
You need two hands to maintain control of your e-scooter or e-bike. Don’t text and ride. Refrain from carrying packages or other items that obstruct your view, prevent you from keeping two hands on the handlebars, or prevent you from maintaining your balance.
Stay alert at all times
Don’t put yourself or others at risk of a collision by operating your e-scooter/e-bike—or any other vehicle—while distracted or impaired.
Examples of safe and unsafe riding practices:
Disclaimer: E-scooter or e-bike personal mobility devices are provided by a third-party vendor, not by the University of Maryland. Your use of this technology comes with certain risks, and you may be asked to confirm an agreement between you and the device provider in which you assume those risks.