Motorized scooters are a fun and easy method of transportation on campus, but recently, DU Parking Services have restricted their use. Although the new scooter policy is a limitation on drivers, it will overwhelmingly benefit pedestrians around campus.

The new scooter policy encompasses several changes, including limited parking, limited paths to drive on (no more sidewalks), a required parking permit and required registration through the state of Colorado.

The most noticeable change is the limit on driving paths. As scooters can no longer drive on sidewalks or lawns, drivers must ride on roads. This significantly limits mobility around campus and may cause an increase in danger to scooter drivers. However, the change was necessary.

DU students already utilize sidewalks for walking, biking, skateboarding and more. With scooters, the situation became very dangerous, especially for pedestrians. At high speeds on narrow sidewalks filled with students, it is easy for drivers to swipe a nearby pedestrian, especially when drivers aren’t paying close attention to their speed. Additionally, scooters outside of campus are not allowed on sidewalks. It is a valuable universal rule that is in place to protect pedestrians.

Scooter drivers must also register their scooter through the state of Colorado and obtain a DU scooter parking permit. Although drivers may complain about these changes, Colorado scooter registration is a mere five dollars for three years and only requires a drivers license. The DU parking permit is 20 dollars for the year in designated parking spots, which is a minimal charge for the convenience of a scooter, especially compared to the cost of car parking permits.

“The only reason registration is required is because…the registration allows us to identify that individual [in the case of an accident],” said Sgt. James Johnston, Community Partnerships and Training Coordinator at Campus Safety. Johnston also mentioned that the number of scooter-pedestrian accidents spurred the change in policy.

“In the past two years, we have had three fatal car versus pedestrian accidents,” said Johnston about a general campaign to increase pedestrian safety. Most recently, Campus Safety has rolled out the Heads Up campaign to increase awareness of pedestrians, especially when crossing roads. The scooter policy is a part of this broader campaign to reduce accidents.
The new scooter registration and parking permit is a safety policy to protect pedestrians. In the case of a scooter-automobile accident, the permit and registration would also help in identification. Furthermore, it is in line with off-campus scooter policy.

Campus Safety and Parking Services should continue working together to create active policies to protect pedestrian safety.