Electric Scooters

Policy number: 9.14

Policy section: Police & Public Safety

Revised Date:

1. Definitions

Definitions of capitalized terms are set forth in Appendix A.

2. Policy Statement

Electric Scooter use is 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.

3. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to promote safety on the SMU campus while allowing students, faculty, staff, and visitors to benefit from the use of Electric Scooters.

4. Applicability

These guidelines apply to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors and to both shared-use and privately-owned Electric Scooters.

5. Rules of the Road

Use of Electric Scooters is permitted on the SMU campus subject to following limitations:

  1. Electric Scooter users must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
  2. Electric Scooter use may only occur in permitted areas – on designated University Park streets and sidewalks, and on the SMU campus, excluding the George W. Bush Presidential Center, as outlined here.
  3. Electric Scooter users must obey traffic rules on campus, including stopping at stop lights and stop signs.
  4. Electric Scooter users must stay to the right on all roadways, pathways, and sidewalks.
  5. Electric Scooter users must yield to pedestrians in walkways and sidewalks and provide audible or hand signals when approaching or passing pedestrians.
  6. Speed of Electric Scooters must be limited to ten (10) miles per hour or as reasonable for the traffic of both pedestrians and vehicles, whichever is less.
  7. Electric Scooters are not allowed in SMU owned, leased, rented, or occupied buildings.
  8. Electric Scooter users shall not operate an Electric Scooter while under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances.
  9. Tandem riding is prohibited.
  10. Electric scooter users shall be mindful of their safety, the safety of others, and shall be alert to pedestrians and other vehicles.
  11. SMU Police may cite electric scooter users who are behaving recklessly.

6. Parking Requirements

  1. Electric Scooters 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; or
    7. in any manner than would impede access to handicap ramps.
  2. Electric Scooters shall be parked upright on hard surfaces and in designated parking zones only as outlined on the map provided here.

7. Restriction on Electric Charging

The charging of Electric Scooters in any university owned, leased, rented, or occupied building is prohibited.

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 appropriate University policy. Campus visitors found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to criminal trespass warning.

9. Safety Recommendations

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

10. Additional Restrictions on Use

The University reserves the right to further limit the use of Electric Scooters in order to preserve the safety of the University community.

Appendix A: Definitions

“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.

Adopted: March 4, 2019