The university permits the use of personal transportation devices as a convenient and sustainable way to navigate campus. This policy establishes clear expectations for safe operation, pedestrian priority, and responsible storage, with the goal of reducing injury risk, preventing property damage, and maintaining accessible campus pathways.

This policy applies to all students, employees, and members of the North Park University community who use, store, or transport personal transportation devices, such as bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or similar devices, on campus.

General principles (applies to all devices)

• Pedestrians always have the right of way.
• Devices must be operated in a safe, controlled manner appropriate to conditions and pedestrian traffic.
• Reckless operation, including excessive speed, weaving through pedestrians, or distraction (e.g., phone use), is prohibited.
• The university may restrict or prohibit use in specific areas, during events, or due to safety concerns.

Permitted Devices (Non-Motorized Only)
The following non-motorized devices are permitted on campus, unless otherwise restricted by signage or regulation:

• Bicycles
• Skateboards
• Kick scooters
• Rollerblades and similar devices

Prohibited Devices
Motorized or battery-powered personal transportation devices are not permitted for general use on campus. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Electric scooters (e-scooters)
• Electric bicycles (e-bikes)
• Electric skateboards
• Hoverboards and self-balancing devices

Individuals may use motorized personal transportation devices to travel to campus; however, such devices must be parked and secured only at outdoor bike racks. Operation of motorized devices beyond these designated parking areas is prohibited.

Motorized devices may only be used and stored on campus if approved as a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability.

Motorized devices are not permitted inside university buildings. Storage and charging of such devices is prohibited in all university buildings, including residence halls, due to fire safety concerns.

Operational Rules for Permitted Devices only
These expectations are based on observable behavior to support consistent compliance:

• Speed and Control: Devices must be operated at a moderate speed that allows the rider to always stop safely.
• High-Density Areas: In crowded areas, near building entrances, or in narrow walkways, riders must slow to walking speed or dismount.
• Prohibited Riding Areas: Riding is not permitted
  • Inside buildings
  • On stairways or accessibility ramps
  • In any area posted as restricted
• Roadway Use: When operating in roadways, riders must follow applicable traffic laws.

Parking and storage

• Transportation devices must not block building entrances, walkways, ramps, or emergency access routes.
• Transportation devices must be secured to bicycle racks located throughout the campus. Transportation devices may not be locked to non-designated structures, such as lamp posts, railings, buildings, or other non-designated structures.
• Transportation devices must be stored in a manner that does not create hazards or damage property.
• The university may relocate or remove improperly stored transportation devices.

Enforcement

• Violations may result in one or a combination of:
  • Verbal warning
  • Written warning
  • Confiscation of the device
  • Fines up to $50
  • Referral to student conduct or employee disciplinary processes for repeated or serious violations
• The university reserves discretion in enforcement based on the nature and frequency of the behavior.

Confiscated items must be retrieved through Campus Safety. Student conduct and/or employee disciplinary processes may apply, as appropriate. Items will be held for the duration of any related proceedings and released only when eligible for return. Individuals will be notified when items are available for retrieval; items not claimed within 60 days of notification will become university property. Abandoned or unclaimed transportation devices will become the property of the university. Questions regarding confiscated items should be directed to Campus Safety.

Responsibility
Individuals who use personal transportation devices are responsible for operating them safely and in compliance with this policy, applicable laws, and traffic regulations. Users assume all risks associated with the use, parking, charging, and storage of personal transportation devices. The university assumes no responsibility or liability for any injury, damage, theft, or loss arising from or related to the use, parking, charging, or storage of such devices.

Owners are encouraged to record the serial number of their personal transportation device and maintain a unique identifying mark, such as a decal, engraving, sticker, or other distinctive feature, to assist with ownership verification and recovery in the event the device is lost or stolen. Failure to provide sufficient identifying information may delay or prevent verification of ownership and the return of a confiscated device.

Reporting
Safety concerns, improper storage, or incidents involving personal transportation devices should be reported to Campus Safety. Report stolen or missing bicycles, scooters, skateboards and hoverboards immediately to Campus Safety.

Definitions

• Bicycle: A human-powered, pedal-driven vehicle with two wheels.
• Scooter/Skateboard: Non-motorized wheeled devices used for personal transportation, including kick scooters, longboards, and rollerblades.
• Motorized Devices: Any electrically or mechanically powered transportation device.
• Hoverboards: A hoverboard, also known as a self-balancing scooter, is a portable, battery-powered personal transportation device consisting of two motorized wheels connected by a platform, including Segways and similar equipment.
• Electric bike, or e-bike, is equipped with a battery and a small electric motor to assist you in pedaling faster and farther.
• Electric scooter, or e-scooter, is a lightweight, two-wheeled vehicle powered by an electric motor and a rechargeable battery.
• Personal Transportation Devices: Non-motorized or motorized devices used for individual transportation, including bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and similar equipment.