Electric Scooters

The safe operation of scooters help provide an important transportation device for the campus community. This website provides information on:

1. Campus Rules and Guidelines for Scooter Operation
2. Scooter Safety
3. Scooter Parking

Please register your scooter as you would a bicycle

Campus Rules and Guidelines for Scooter Operation

These recommendations were developed in coordination with PTS, UTPD, Office of Campus Safety, University Health Services, Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, Legal Affairs, Financial and Administrative Services, and campus governance groups.

Electric scooters are available for usage by campus visitors, students, staff and faculty. Those who utilize electric scooters must operate them according to campus rules and regulations.

• Scooters may only be operated in areas where bicycle traffic is allowed.
• Scooters should be operated at a low speed in the presence of pedestrians and pedestrians always have the right of way.
• Scooters must be operated in a safe manner and may be subject to citations if operated in manner determined to be reckless.
• Scooters should be parked at bike racks or in designated scooter parking spaces/areas only.
• Scooters are not allowed in university buildings. 
• There is a $150 impound fee for scooters parked in the following ways:
  • Violation of scooter parking regulations related to a university event
  • Parking in a manner that obstructs ADA access or parking
  • Parking in doorways
  • Blocking ramps and stairways
  • Parking improperly on Speedway Mall
  • Parking improperly on the Main Mall
• A $75 fee is applied to all other scooter impounds.
• There is no charging of commercial scooters on campus.
• Scooter access is limited on home football game days and may be limited during other large scale events.

Scooter Safety

• Scooters can provide an important tool especially in bridging the last mile of commutes to campus. For the university community to profit from this benefit requires the safe operation and parking of all scooters on campus.
• Scooters should be operated at a low speed on campus at all times. Campus has very heavy pedestrian traffic, so it is imperative to operate slowly and always yield the right of way to pedestrians.
• Scooters are responsible for following all the rules of the road. This includes, but is not limited to, stopping at stop signs and stop lights, yielding, and following the speed limit.
• If you are unfamiliar with scooter operations, take time to look at operation and safety information provided by the scooter company that you use.   
• Scooters can start very quickly for those unfamiliar, so start off slowly to keep the scooter from running out from under you.
• Be mindful of your surroundings.
• Scooters are meant for single riders only.
• Don’t wear earbuds when operating a scooter.
• Keep both hands on the scooter handle bar at all times.
• PTS HIGHLY RECOMMENDS that you wear a helmet at all times when operating a scooter. Consider other protective gear as well such wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads. You can order a lot of safety gear through free Apps, available from many scooter companies for active riders. Typically, users only pay for shipping.
• Don’t operate a scooter while impaired.
• Use caution in pathways that cross.
• Follow all UT-Austin parking rules.

Scooter Parking

To park properly in a scooter parking space, follow the diagrams below.

	Head-In Parking The small white lines are to be used as guides. Place the front scooter wheel between a pair of lines.
	Parallel Parking Scooters should be parked within the two end points of the scooter area. They should park in the direction with the front wheel in line with one white line and the back wheel in line with the other.

Scooter Parking Locations and Speed Governed Zones

Click on a scooter icon in the map to see a photo of the location and the type of scooter parking provided there. The red zones represent speed governed zones in which you should expect your rented scooter to slow down (8mph). The blue and yellow zones represent zones where standard scooter speeds of up to 15mph can be expected. Click the panel icon in the top left of the embedded map to customize your current view.

Scooters can also park at bike racks throughout campus. To park at bike racks, place the scooter as near to the rack as is practical, or in the rack if space allows. Be mindful not to impede pedestrian and ADA access.

Scooter Map

Text Only View

Examples of Parking

	DON'T park on sidewalks or poles blocking pedestrian and ADA pathways DO park at nearby scooter parking areas and bike racks
	DON'T park on ADA ramps and curb cuts DO park in areas out of the way of pedestrian and ADA access near bike racks
	DON'T park in the middle of a pedestrian plaza or sidewalk DO park out of the way of foot traffic near building walls in designated scooter areas and near bike racks
	DON'T block staircases DO park to the side of stairs in designated scooter areas
	DON'T park on sidewalks blocking access. This narrows a sidewalk too much for a wheelchair to use it DO park near bike racks out of the way
	DON'T park on streets DO park in designated scooter areas near streets
	DON'T park BEHIND bike racks, blocking access DO park in or next to bike racks