UA enforces scooter rules on campus

By: Taniah Tudor

Posted: 8/27/08

An increase in students using scooters on campus has brought a concentrated effort in enforcement of state laws and significant changes in parking policies, UA officials said.

With the nationwide move toward greener solutions for everything from food choices to how those choices are carried out of the store, and with the recent slump in the economy, scooters have become a staple in student transportation, on and off campus.

The problem at the UA began with the explosion in the last year of scooters being driven on campus and an increase in complaints about where scooters were being driven and parked, said Steve Voorhies, manager of news and information services for University Relations.

Complaints have been received by officials at the UA Transit and Parking Department, the UA Police Department and University Housing, Voorhies said.

At first, scooters were unofficially treated as bicycles, and scooter usage didn't emerge as problem when only a few were being used on campus, he said. Last year, students were allowed to roll their scooters up to the bicycle racks on campus and park there, but state law prohibits scooters from being driven on sidewalks because they are motorized vehicles.

"Frankly, the university didn't do a lot to communicate this to students last year," Voorhies said.

Thomas Vinson, a junior who lives off campus, said he usually drives his scooter to school and thinks most people driving scooters on campus are doing what they think is within the rules.

"I think it's the driver's responsibility to know the state laws, but if nobody says you can't drive on the sidewalks, why would you stop driving on them?" Vinson said. "If they tell me I can park in a bike rack and the only way to get to it is the sidewalk, I'm going to assume I can drive on the sidewalks."

Complaints have included that scooters were parked in front of doors and walkways and were driven in residence hall hallways and elevators, said Andy Gilbride, UA Parking program adviser.

Though Vinson said he never has done such a thing, he knew someone who was caught last year with his scooter in an elevator in the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage.

Pedestrians were also calling with complaints of nearly being hit on sidewalks by scooters, said UAPD director Steve Gahagans.

With the increased scooter usage and complaints, it became an issue that had to be addressed, Gahagans said.

Members from various UA departments, including University Housing, University Relations, UA Transit and Parking and the UAPD, met to plan for the resolution of scooter issues on campus.

Parking regulations have already been changed, and Voorhies, Gilbride and Gahagans all said enforcement will begin with verbal and written warnings and then will increase to written citations.

One of the reasons Vinson purchased a scooter was the convenience of being able to park close to his classes, he said.

But scooter drivers will no longer be allowed to park in bicycle racks, and they must purchase a permit to park in the newly allocated scooter parking locations. The locations are spread around campus but are relegated to areas with street access.

UA Transit and Parking officials are giving parking violators a warning that will go on their parking account, Gilbride said, and then they will receive a citation.

"We have already begun to give out warnings," Gahagans said Monday. "We gave out quite a few today."

UAPD officials gave out warnings over the summer, Gahagans said, and they will continue to give warnings only through the first week of class. Stronger enforcement will begin next week, he said.

"I think the tolerance will be very low for driving on sidewalks," Voorhies said.

Vinson said that though he had renewed his parking permit for his scooter, he was unaware of any changes in parking regulations or enforcement.

Students are supposed to be informed of the new parking regulations when they purchase a parking permit, Gilbride said, and a UA "Daily Headlines" press release on Tuesday, Aug. 19, was also meant to inform students of the enforcement of state law and parking regulations.

Gahagans said their purpose in giving warnings is to try to inform students of the law.

"Keep in mind, we support the alternative means of travel," Gahagans said. "We just want to make sure people are safe."

Lt. Matt Mills, supervisor of UAPD Patrol Services, said drivers caught riding their scooters on UA sidewalks will receive a citation for "all other moving violations," which carries a fine of $35. Administrative charges for traffic and parking violations can be located on the UA Transit and Parking Department Web site.