UC Berkeley prioritizes the safety of the campus community. UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation would like to highlight the importance of campus road safety and provide an overview of state laws regarding mobility devices, including electric scooters.
Electric Scooters
Please review the interim policy put forth by parking & transportation.
Electric scootershare is the newest, most fun way to get around Berkeley! Veoride, Spin, and Link provide electric motorized devices that can be unlocked via mobile applications. Each company provides standing and seated scooters, as well as e-bikes, and provides discount programs for low-income riders, in-app promotions, and daily passes. Check the scootershare websites for more information on program specifics. Riders must be 16 years or older to ride and riders under 18 years of age must wear helmets. Riders may not operate the scooters on sidewalks, roadways with speed limits of 35 mph or more, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When done riding, users must lock the scooters to any public bike rack, parked upright with the kickstand down. Scooters must not impede pedestrian access on sidewalks, block car traffic, or be on private property.
Each scootershare company has its own low-income program students’ could possibly apply for. Visit the scootershare vendors’ websites for more information (Veo, Spin, Superpedestrian).
However, a few things to be cognizant of if you so happen to own a scooter or skateboard and want to operate it on campus:
California Vehicle Code (CVC) 407.5(a) defines a motorized scooter as any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding, and is powered by an electric motor. CVC 21235 mandates that all scooter riders in California:
- Have a valid driver's license
- Ride on the road and remain off sidewalks
- May not park scooters on a sidewalk in a position that blocks pedestrian paths or ADA paths of travel.
Additionally, these vehicles are also not allowed in our dismount zones. Accidents caused by this are effectively at the responsibility of the driver/rider and not of the University. Be aware of your surroundings as you may not be seen or heard by other vehicles. Drive defensively. Please be safe and ride responsibly. Use common sense; these are motorized vehicles, not toys, operating on streets.
