SCOOTER BAN
University says vehicles are nuisance, dangerous
It may take a bit longer to get to class in Tempe after Arizona State University students were forced to ditch electric scooters.
The scooters are no longer allowed at ASU after the university “reminded” companies operating them of policies prohibiting their use on campus.
In recent months, dockless electric scooters from companies like Bird, Lime and Razor had overrun the Tempe campus. On social media, people have complained about scooters being locked to bike racks or nearly being hit by someone riding them while walking.
In a statement, the university highlighted a policy that prohibits electric scooters and said it will work with others to figure out a better model for the scooters’ use on campus.
“The electric scooters that have recently become ubiquitous around Tempe and the ASU campus are a nuisance and potential danger when operated without the proper training and education,” the university said in a statement Sunday.
The scooters are the next step after dockless bike-share programs blanketed the Valley. People can use the scooters by signing up via each company’s apps. They scan a code on the scooters and are charged by the minute to ride them.
The scooters can go up to 15 mph and last about 15 miles per charge. Riders can dock them wherever they stop. The companies typically pick the scooters up daily to charge them.
A university policy that’s been in place since 1963 prohibits scooters, the school said. The policy says motorized scooters, excluding scooters used by people with disabilities, cannot be operated on campus or brought into any campus buildings.
“It is not a new policy,” the university said.
But scooters operated on campus despite the policy. Now, the campus appears as a no-ride zone on the apps, images of the app on social media show.
ASU said it recently “reminded” the companies operating scooters of the campus restrictions. The companies started telling customers where they can and can’t ride and park the scooters.
“ASU expects it will receive the full cooperation of the companies operating scooters near its campuses,” the university said.
Still, the university said it recognizes the potential value and convenience of the scooters. It will work with student government and the city of Tempe “to look at what an appropriate model for their use would be, as long as safety is the top priority for all parties involved.”
The university also plans to start an educational campaign about the rules on vehicles like scooters.
ASU did not immediately respond to a question about how the prohibition will be enforced.
A Bird spokesperson said the company is working with Tempe and ASU to make sure the community “has access to our affordable, environmentally friendly transportation option.”
Tempe residents and students have “embraced” Bird as a mode of transportation, the company said.
“Bird will continue to work closely with ASU and city officials on a more permanent framework that can work for everyone so that we can continue to help the community more easily get around town and campus,” the Bird spokesperson said.
Lime did not respond to requests for comment on the ASU restrictions.
Bird operates scooters in four Arizona cities: Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale and Peoria, the company says on its website. The company also lists 18 universities across the country where the scooters are in use.
In Tempe, city leaders are working on potential regulations for the scooters, including limiting the number of scooters, charging fees or requiring scooters to be moved or restaged.
The Tempe City Council could discuss the regulations in November.
ASU isn’t the first university to clash with dockless scooters.
In September, Loyola Marymount Universityin Los Angeles temporarily banned the scooters and set up a task force to talk about how they should be used.
At Indiana University, a student crashed an electric scooter Sunday and experienced head trauma.
The University of Missouri asked Bird to leave campus in August.
At Michigan State University, at least 100 scooters have been impounded by campus police because they were parked where they shouldn’t have been.