Micromobility Devices

University Policy 660

1. Policy Purpose

2. Responsible University Officer

3. Scope and Responsibilities

4. Background

5. Definitions

6. Policy Statement

A. Parking Micromobility Devices

1. Personally owned Micromobility Devices may be parked anywhere bike racks are made available on campus.
2. Micromobility Devices owned by a third-party vendor and/or rented to the public via a phone application must:
   1. Be properly parked at one of the locations designated by the University. These locations must be geofenced as designated parking.
   2. Parking locations must be rebalanced nightly to ensure no parking location is overburdened.
   3. Parking locations will not include snow removal unless those locations are a pre-existing snow removal location.
3. Micromobility Devices of any type and ownership status cannot be parked:
   1. Inside university buildings
   2. In university housing common areas or hallways.
   3. On sidewalks, turf or flowerbeds, tied to trees, campus lawns, or in the street.
   4. At the top or bottom of any staircase.
   5. Areas that block access to building entrances or exits.
   6. Adjacent or affixed to structures, architectural elements, or artwork. Including, but not limited to, handrails, fences, benches, light poles, sign poles, sculptures, and etc.
   7. In pedestrian walkways, vehicle parking spaces (including ADA, moped and motorcycle), ADA ramps, or other areas that block egress.
      
      

B. Parking Micromobility Devices

1. Consistent with the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, this policy maintains an outer bicycle loop around lower campus and the Garfield Avenue Hill with Micromobility Device parking available on the campus edge and prioritizes pedestrian traffic within the campus mall and between buildings.
2. Operation of Micromobility Devices is not permitted:
   1. On sidewalks, roadways or any other area of the university’s Lower campus, unless otherwise marked by campus signage or painted road signals. All Micromobility Device rentals, or third-party vendor owned Micromobility Devices, must be geofenced to enforce this standard.
   2. On the Garfield Avenue Hill.
   3. To perform tricks or stunts on University Premises.
   4. To operate at speeds in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour on University Premises.
3. Micromobility Device operators and vendors must:
   1. Follow campus signs and yield to pedestrians.
   2. Obey all rules of the road, including traffic signs & signals.
   3. Follow all applicable state and local laws, ordinances and University Policies.
   4. Follow City of Eau Claire Ordinances, including Ordinance 5.64, Dockless Bicycle Share and Ordinance 5.65, Scooter Share.
   5. Not block pedestrian walkways, driving lanes, ADA access, or parking.
   6. Operate Micromobility Devices at reduced speeds in the presence of pedestrians.
   7. Not be under the influence of alcohol when operating Micromobility Devices.
4. Micromobility Devices may not be charged inside University buildings unless approved by a Building Coordinator or in an authorized charging location.
5. Micromobility Devices abandoned, or left unattended, for 30 or more days on University Premises, other than an established bicycle rack or pick up location, may be impounded.
6. Operators should:
   1. Wear a properly fitted helmet, in addition to elbow and knee pads when appropriate.
   2. Dress for visibility, utilizing tools such as reflective vests and reflectors.
   3. Maintain a three (3) foot minimum distance from pedestrians.
   4. Yield to pedestrians.
   5. Watch for uneven surfaces and debris.
   6. Refrain from cell phone usage while mobile.
   7. Share the road and never ride against traffic.
      
      

C. Responsibilities

1. Users of Micromobility Devices on University Premises:
   1. Comply with this policy.
   2. Not endanger the safety of themselves or other individuals and/or risk causing damage to university property.
   3. Be held responsible for any injuries to themselves or others as a result of any violation of this Policy, improper operation of an MD, or for any other reason while operating Micromobility Devices on University premises.
2. University Parking and Risk Management, Safety and Sustainability
   1. Help educate Micromobility Devices operators on how to protect University property, themselves, and others while operating Micromobility Devices on university premises.
   2. Help the Student Office of Sustainability maintain UW-Eau Claire’s Bicycle Friendly University status.
3. University Police
   1. Enforce University System Administrative Code and Wisconsin state traffic statutes.
   2. Report Micromobility Device accidents and/or other life safety incidents of Micromobility Device operators.
   3. Communicate property damage or incidents involving Micromobility Devices with Risk Management, Safety and Sustainability.

7. Related Documents

8. Policy History

9. Scheduled Review