Hundreds of thousands of rides are taken on electric scooters every year at UCLA. But how many of these trips are done safely and responsibly? While electric personal mobility devices may help Bruins whiz across campus, when not operated correctly, they can swiftly lead to serious consequences for the rider and others.

Suffering an injury or hurting someone else

Over a six-year period, a UCLA study found that the injury rate for riders of electric scooters in one section of Los Angeles was higher than the national rates for riders of motorcycles, bicycles, those in a vehicle, and pedestrians. Common incidents involve falls, collisions with cars, and sidewalk accidents, resulting in serious head trauma, fractures, and lacerations, often due to not wearing a helmet and high speeds. 

The same UCLA research also revealed that while electric scooter riders primarily injure themselves, they also pose a documented risk to others, with injuries involving non-riders, including people getting struck or tripping over discarded scooters, with pedestrian collisions increasing. 

To further prevent anyone (e-scooter user or otherwise) from getting hurt, it is also critical to ride on the street, or permitted campus pathways, stay off sidewalks and out of crosswalks, and observe traffic lights and signs.

Blocking important accessways

Badly parked scooters are a hazard. When left improperly and not in a designated area, they can obstruct sidewalks, curb ramps, ADA access ramps, and doorways, barring access and posing a danger to pedestrians, particularly those with mobility, visual, or other accessibility challenges. 

Pay for breaking the rules

There are penalties for breaking electric scooter usage rules. The UCLA Police Department issues citations for traffic and safety violations. You can be ticketed for tandem riding (with another passenger), sidewalk riding, speeding, operating without a valid driver’s license or permit, improper parking, and having headphones in both ears — a particularly dangerous offense as they create an auditory distraction, preventing you from hearing traffic, sirens, or pedestrians.

Those who disobey electric scooter laws can be fined (up to $200) and, depending on the violation, may receive a point from the Department of Motor Vehicles on their record, which can affect driving privileges.