SC State police chief emphasizes scooter safety, plans increased enforcement

scooter

Growing popularity of motorized scooters brings new challenges for campus

Editor's Note: Jalyn Woodbury is an SC State journalism student completing her practicum with the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - South Carolina State University intends to increase enforcement of motorized scooter safety rules as campus police address concerns about students riding scooters on sidewalks and creating hazards for pedestrians.

"The current rules are, in my humble opinion, a lot of common sense. Basically, the same thing as driving a car, not being reckless," SC State Police Chief Clyburn Halley said.

The convenience and portability of electric scooters have made them an increasingly popular transportation option for SC State students. Scooters provide a quick and easy way to travel between classes and other campus destinations, but their growing use also raises concerns about pedestrian safety, traffic rules and appropriate parking.

One of the university's main concerns is students riding scooters on sidewalks.

Halley said the university plans to strengthen enforcement of scooter safety guidelines, including the possibility of issuing tickets to students who violate the rules.

"We're going to start enforcing that very strongly because it's too many students riding on the sidewalks," Halley said, noting that sidewalk riding has created problems for students, faculty and staff walking around campus.

Scooter riders also are expected to follow the general rules of the road for motorized vehicles, including observing posted speed limits, obeying traffic signs and signals, signaling turns properly and yielding the right of way when required.

Scooters should not be parked inside nonresidential campus buildings because they can present safety hazards.

Some students say the restrictions create a need for designated areas where they can park their scooters.

"That's the option we're looking at," Halley said, referring to providing bike lanes or designated parking areas for scooters.

Students: More accommodations needed

Chanz Ingram, a junior at SC State, said designated scooter parking could prevent scooters from blocking building entrances.

"I feel like a scooter parking lot would be a good choice to avoid that issue," Ingram said.

He said he has seen four or five scooters parked in a classroom entryway at one time.

Ingram said he does not believe designated scooter lanes are necessary but said riders should follow traffic rules when using campus roads.

"Riding on the street is perfectly fine as long as you follow the rules of the road: stop at red lights, stop at stop signs and make sure you look before you turn," Ingram said.

Sophomore Arian Bradley supports designated scooter lanes and parking spaces because of the number of pedestrians using campus sidewalks.

"I think there should be scooter parking spots because riding on the sidewalk is too connected with other people trying to walk," Bradley said.

She suggested wider sidewalks or designated lanes as possible ways to make the campus safer.

Bradley also encouraged scooter riders to be mindful of their speed.

Scooter safety guidelines

• Do not ride on sidewalks.
• Wear a helmet for safety, although helmets are not mandatory.
• Use streets and bike lanes where permitted.
• Observe posted speed limits and adjust speed for pedestrian and traffic conditions.
• Obey traffic signs and signals, signal turns properly and yield the right of way when required.
• Follow the general rules of the road applicable to motorized vehicles.
• Park responsibly and do not park scooters inside nonresidential campus buildings.

Halley emphasized that students must take responsibility for keeping the campus safe while using scooters.

"Be responsible. People are young, but they've got to be young, responsible adults," he said.