E-Scooter Safety on Campus
Along with the use of bikes and skateboards, many students at Fresno State have opted out of walking and now use electric scooters or e-scooters to move quickly around campus. While a fun and convenient way to get around campus, they’re also a reason many students are getting hurt, according to campus health services officials.
“I have noticed electric scooters,” said Viviana Giles, a marketing major. “And when you’re walking you can’t hear them.”
Because e-scooters operate so quietly, both riders and pedestrians need to be aware of each other, their surroundings, and how their unexpected movement can impact others.
“A lot of students, if you notice on campus, they’re always with headphones, Airpods, they’re not going to hear anything,” Giles said.
The Student Health Center has seen a number of students with scooter-related injuries.
“Accidents from scooters here on campus are just like the accidents that I’ve encountered while working in the emergency room department,” said Dr. Robert Mitchell, Student Health Center medical director. “There are general bumps and bruises, scrapes and scratches, and occasionally you get some broken bones.”
The California Vehicle Code defines a motorized scooter or e-scooter as a two-wheeled device that has handlebars, a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding and is powered by an electric motor. This means e-scooters are considered vehicles and must be respected as other motorized vehicles.
The California Vehicle Code also mandates that all scooter riders in California have a valid driver’s license in their possession while operating an e -scooter.
When operating an e-scooter on campus drivers should be respectful of others at all times. It’s important to remember that pedestrians always have the right of way.
Scooter drivers, along with riders of bikes and skateboards, should always travel at slow speeds and dismount and walk through the designated “wheels off” areas. Highly congested locations on campus, like the area between the fountain and library are designated as “wheels off” areas.
“They’re clearly identified usually with signage and red lines on the ground, and when you’re in those areas we ask that you dismount any wheeled device that you happen to be on at the time for safet,” said Derek Brantley, Parking and Transportation manager.
Scooters are not authorized to be parked, walked or operated in any building on the Fresno State Campus. When not in use, scooters need to be parked in designated parking areas or scooter storage facilities.
The Campus Police Department has provided free E-Scooter storage throughout the campus for student convenience.
“Recently the university has gone out and procured around a dozen specifically designed e-scooter parking racks that have been deployed, and you will see more and more of those on campus as they become available,” Brantley said.
E-scooters can also be locked in any existing bike rack using a lock specifically for bikes or a high-quality chain lock.