Too dangerous for Fresno State? Motorized scooters, bikes banned next semester

Fresno State is set to change the way its students and faculty move around campus.

That means an end to motorized bikes and mopeds, skateboards and scooters.

In an all-campus email last week, Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer Matt Hawkins said that “while convenient,” these so called e-bikes and e-scooters “pose significant safety risks.” Especially given the heavy pedestrian traffic and shared pathways on campus.

“After convening a cross-campus committee that carefully reviewed campus safety data and incident reports, as well as actions taken by peer institutions,” Hawkins wrote, “the university is updating our existing Buildings and Grounds policy.”

As of the fall semester, the use of “motorized vehicles” will be prohibited on campus, including resident halls and in parking areas. The policy applies to students, employees and visitors.

Human-propelled bicycles, scooters and skateboards will still be allowed.

For years, the university has voiced concerns about safety due to an increase of scooters on campus. Since 2020 at least, it has designated areas as “Wheels Off’ zones — high-traffic areas where riders are required to walk their bikes, scooters and skateboards.

This more extensive ban comes following an increase in serious accidents involving motorized scooters in recent years, according to Hawkins’ email.

In a message to The Bee, the school said it is unable to provide access to individual incident reports or additional case-level details due to HIPAA and privacy considerations, but its Student Health and Counseling Center had seen 159 scooter- and skateboard-related injuries since Fall 2023.

But that figure only reflects reported incidents or those in which someone sought care, so it could be higher, according to the university.

In January, a 20-year-old was hospitalized after being hit by a car while riding a motorized scooter in a bike lane near Shaw and Maple avenue. It’s not clear whether adjacent bike lanes will fall under the new policy, but the school is in the process of adding dedicated storage along the campus’ perimeter, understanding that student may use motorized bikes or scooters to get to school.

It is also encouraging other transportation options, such as The Bulldog Express, a free shuttle that runs Monday to Friday, with six stops across campus.

Vehicles will be confiscated

Enforcement of the ban will not be punitive, at least not initially. There are no fines or citations for those found in violation, but students may be referred for breach of student conduct. Vehicles will be confiscated. Unattended e-bikes and scooters will be impounded.

According to the university, it is currently in a “grace period” to allow those on campus time to adjust to the new rules. Enforcement begins Aug. 19.

Students on campus are expressing mixed feelings about the ban. Those who talked with The Bee said they understand the reasoning, but find scooters helpful in getting to class on time, particularly when classes are on separate parts of campus. They wonder is there are other alternatives, perhaps even installing “scooter lanes.”