Registration is mandatory for all micromobility.
To enhance transportation and pedestrian safety on campus, UA’s new micromobility policy requires all bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters to be registered with parking services as well as properly operated and stored.
Micromobility vehicles, as defined in the University’s new policy, are small, lightweight, personal transportation devices that cannot travel faster than 30 mph, including bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters, electric skateboards and Onewheels. The policy does not apply to wheelchairs, electric personal assistance mobility devices or non-motorized skateboards.
The new requirements were developed by a task force of University staff, faculty and students and are designed to support safe and responsible transportation across campus.
“Our primary goal is the safety of everyone getting around campus no matter what their mode of transportation. The measures outlined in this policy will help further ensure that,” said Chris D’Esposito, assistant vice president for Enterprise Services. “Having student groups involved in developing the policy was invaluable as they by far are the predominant users of micromobility on campus. From charging locations to what impacts the rider experience, their perspective was paramount.”
Registration required
Starting this fall, all bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal transportation vehicles defined by UA’s new micromobility policy must be registered with UA parking services. Registration is free and can be completed on the online Parking Portal, and this provides a formal link between UA and the device owner.
Failure to register a micromobility device is subject to a $25 citation. After the third failure to register citation, the device is subject to impoundment, resulting in an additional $150 fine and storage fees.
Park and charge in designated locations only
Per the facility fire safety policy and micromobility policy, motorized or electric vehicles and their batteries are never allowed inside UA buildings, including residence halls and apartments, academic buildings, University-owned homes, leased facilities, Greek housing and other properties controlled by the University. When not in use, vehicles must be stored and locked properly to prevent theft.
15 convenient, covered park-and-charge locations have been installed on campus, providing a total of 282 charging spaces for devices. Residential locations were prioritized to accommodate students who cannot charge their vehicles off campus, and the University is continuing to increase charging capacity as other areas are identified throughout the year. However, residential or commuter students, along with faculty and staff, are permitted to use established charging areas if their devices are registered.
There is no cost to charge micromobility vehicles at designated charging areas.
When not charging or in use, micromobility devices must be secured at one of the nearly 500 bike racks on campus. Find bike rack and micromobility charging locations on the University map.
Follow rules of the road
For everyone’s safety, micromobility operators must follow designated riding areas and rules outlined in the policy.
- Micromobility vehicles must be operated in a bike lane when one is available.
- Sidewalk riding is only permitted when a bike lane is unavailable, and the operator must yield to pedestrians and maintain a slow speed.
- Micromobility vehicles are prohibited in campus greenspaces, such as the Quad, and cannot be ridden on the sidewalks in and surrounding those greenspaces. These areas are known as “No-Go” Zones.
Along with the new policy, Alabama law states that those operating bicycles and other modes of micromobility must follow the same rules as those operating a motor vehicle, including but not limited to:
- stopping at a stop sign or red light,
- yielding to pedestrians at marked crosswalks when pedestrians are present but there is no stop sign or traffic light,
- driving in the correct lane of traffic and
- must not text and drive or drive under the influence.
For information about registration and to read the policy in full, visit https://parking.ua.edu/micromobility/.