Campus Safety and Security

Bicycle and other Personal Transportation Device Safety

Section: Campus Safety and Security Policies
Policy Name: Bicycle and other Personal Transportation Device Safety
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Facilities, Real Estate & Auxiliary Services
Origination Date: October 23, 2000
Revisions: January 18, 2013; January 7, 2016; May 20, 2019
Legacy Policy Number: 7-41
  1. SCOPE OF POLICYThis policy addresses the use of Bicycles, Skateboards, Hoverboards, Segways, Rollerskates/Blades, Scooters, Go-Ped or Motorized Skateboards, collectively referred to as personal transportation devices (PTD) and applies to all members of the University Community, including but not limited to: faculty, students, staff and visitors.
  2. DEFINITIONS
    1. Abandoned – a PTD, including a bicycle, is considered abandoned when locked to or left on University property in an apparent dilapidated, inoperable condition or left unattended on University property and tagged by Parking Services or University Police.
    2. Bicycle – any vehicle propelled solely by human power applied to pedals upon which any person may ride having two tandem wheels or a tricycle, all of which are more than fourteen inches in diameter.
    3. Dismount – exiting a PTD and walking next to or carrying the PTD.
    4. Go-Ped or Motorized Skateboard or Scooter – any device that is designed to travel on at least two wheels with the deck or chassis of such device open and close to the ground, that has handlebars or a hand-controlled throttle or brake, that is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and that is powered by a motor that is capable of propelling the device without human propulsion. Go-ped or motorized skateboard or scooter shall not include any automobile or device that is included within the definitions of moped, motorcycle, off-highway vehicle (OHV), any type of tractor, tri-ped, motorized wheelchair, or electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD).
    5. Hoverboard – a two-wheeled motorized board consisting of a platform for feet, battery-operated motor and steered by varying weight distribution.
    6. Personal Transportation Device (PTD) – any vehicle manually or motor-driven not permitted to operate on limited-access federal highways. PTDs include, but are not limited to, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, mopeds, and hoverboards. Wheelchairs and electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMD) are excluded from this definition of PTDs.
    7. Segway – trademark name of a two-wheeled motorized personal vehicle consisting of a platform for the feet mounted above an axle and an upright post surmounted by handles.
    8. Walk Your Wheels Zone (also referred to as Ped Zone) – pedestrian areas of the University posted for no bicycle riding and marked with ground graphics and/or “Dismount” or “Walk Your Wheels” signs. All dismount zones apply to bicycles and other PTDs but exclude wheelchairs and electric personal assistive mobility devices. Persons with wheeled devices mounted on their feet (roller skates, roller blades, etc.) must proceed in a Walk Your Wheels Zone at the same speed a reasonable pedestrian would use in the zone.
  3. POLICY STATEMENTThe University requires safe, responsible and legal PTD use on campus and on streets adjacent to campus. Users of PTDs are required to operate them on University property in a way to minimize injury to persons or damage to University property. The operator of any PTD on University property shall obey the lawful instruction of any law enforcement officer, parking services representative, official traffic signs or control devices appropriately placed and in accordance with provisions of these policies. Electronic skateboards including hoverboards and other similar types of equipment (e.g. Segways) are banned for use, storage, and charging on campus.
  4. POLICY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES
    1. Registration
      Bicycle registration with Parking Services is mandatory for all faculty, staff, and students who ride or park a bicycle on the University of Delaware Newark campus.  By registering your bicycle, you will help the University Police Department (UDPD) and Parking Services to identify if your bike is lost, stolen, recovered or impounded. By registering a bicycle, the owner acknowledges that they have read and understand the University’s Bicycle Policy and agrees to the associated rules and regulations.

      1. To register a bicycle go to Parking Services or go online at udel.edu/transportation/parking/online-services.html.
      2. Registration shall be effective from the day the registration is complete, and shall not expire except when there is a change of ownership of the bicycle or a change in the registration policy.
      3. Upon change of ownership or destruction of a licensed bicycle, it is the responsibility of the owner to notify Parking Services.
    2. Equipment
      1. It is incumbent on the owner of the bicycle to maintain the operational condition of the bicycle.
      2. When riding at night, lighting must be deployed consistent with City and State law.
    3. PTD (including Bicycle) Operating Regulations
      Persons operating PTDs:

      1. Must be aware of the surrounding environment and remain cautious.
      2. Shall practice courteous, defensive riding.
      3. Shall travel at safe speeds given the likely presence of pedestrians and must have their PTD under control at all times.
      4. Must yield to pedestrians at all times.
      5. Must dismount and walk in Walk Your Wheels zones.
      6. Operating PTDs inside of buildings is prohibited.
    4. Parking and Securing of Bicycles
      1. Bicycles must be secured to a bike rack when left unattended on campus for any period of time. Bicycles shall not be left, locked, secured or otherwise attached to any non-approved structures such as handrails, light posts, emergency stations, fences, trash receptacles, trees, trip rails, benches and/or signposts. Bicycles shall not be parked in any manner that constitutes a safety hazard, or in such a manner as to interfere with the access to facilities.
      2. Any bicycle in violation of this policy can be removed, impounded and/or issued a citation.
        1. In the event of removal, any damage to the bicycle, lock, chain or other device used to secure the bicycles will not be the responsibility of the University.
        2. A removed bicycle will be released upon proof of ownership, such as University registration number, serial number and/or receipt and owner may be charged a fee at the discretion of the University Administration.
        3. To claim a removed bicycle, contact Parking Services during business hours.
      3. Removal of Abandoned Bicycles
        Students, staff and faculty who no longer want their bicycles are required to remove them from campus property.

        1. Abandoned bicycles will be removed by the University and may be impounded after a reasonable length of time.
        2. If after 90 days an impounded bicycle is unclaimed, it becomes University of Delaware property and may be donated, sold or recycled as scrap.
      4. For long term storage of your bicycle, please contact Parking Services.
    5. Enforcement
      1. A Parking Enforcement Representative may issue a citation, relocate or impound a bicycle which is in violation of this policy.
      2. A University Police Officer may provide referrals to the Office of Community Standards & Conflict Resolution (CSCR) or issue tickets, as appropriate, for moving violations.
      3. If your bicycle is stolen, report the theft to the University of Delaware Police Department immediately. If the bicycle is not registered, University Police will take your report of stolen property, however, verification of ownership can be impeded by lack of registration.
    6. Personal Transportation Devices Safety and Use
      1. Roller-skating/blading, skateboarding, hoverboarding, and scooter riding is prohibited in University buildings.
      2. Roller-skating/blading, skateboarding, and scooter riding as a means of transportation are only permitted on walkways and ramps when the operator does not create a hazard to themselves or others. Performing jumps or other stunts is strictly prohibited on the campus.
      3. No motor vehicles, including motorcycles, motor-driven cycles or motorized skateboards, and Segways, other than expressly authorized vehicles, shall be operated on any sidewalk, pedestrian corridor, or bicycle path on the University. In such circumstances, where motor or battery-powered vehicles are operated on sidewalks, pedestrian corridors or bicycle paths, they shall yield the right of way to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
      4. Those persons causing damage to persons or property while engaged in the use of these devices will be held financially responsible and may be subject to discipline or other charges under standard University or external procedures.
    7. Exemptions
      1. Bicycles, motorcycles, and gators operated by Law Enforcement are exempt, as these are used on a daily basis to patrol the areas of campus that are not accessible by vehicle.
      2. Notwithstanding any statement in this policy, wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, electric carts or similar devices operated by persons with physical disabilities are permitted on sidewalks, pedestrian corridors, bicycle paths or elsewhere as needed to provide accessibility and reasonable accommodation.
      3. Requests for exemptions to this policy for programmed events must be made in writing to the Director of Parking Services and/or Chief of Police for review. Exemptions will be issued in writing.