The Mississippi State University Parking and Traffic Regulation Committee is working on new regulations for electric scooters and bicycles that might be enforced on campus in the coming semesters.
MSU’s campus has seen a drastic increase in electric scooter usage over the last few years. With this increased usage, there has also been an increase in accidents between scooters, pedestrians and cars.
Currently, there are rules in place to protect against accidents. Scooter riders and cyclists must dismount their vehicles on sidewalks when pedestrians are present. They also must dismount their vehicles when crossing crosswalks to allow motorists time to stop. They should also use bike lanes when available. Furthermore, electric scooters and bikes are not allowed inside any buildings on campus.
However, many scooter riders and cyclists have not abided by these rules. Regina Hyatt, the vice president of Student Affairs, described the challenges with enforcing the rules. Hyatt said that while the committee does not want campus police to have to constantly chase down violators, the hindrance to public safety caused by heedless scooter and bike operators is too significant to ignore.
“I’m not sure that’s the way we want to go, but we’ve got to figure something out because there are obvious safety issues,” Hyatt said.
The MSU Police have the right to give citations to individuals breaking transit rules on campus, but they are typically not present in common areas of infraction, such as the Drill Field. Additionally, there is an issue with successfully stopping individuals who are breaking these rules when they are traveling between 15 and 30 miles per hour.
The Parking and Traffic Regulation Committee has met several times over the last year to discuss potential changes that could be made concerning electric scooters on campus. These meetings were held after several complaints from students, faculty, staff and family members were forwarded to Parking and Transit Services and the Dean of Students Office.
The committee has considered several proposals regarding electric scooters and bicycles on campus with varying levels of severity. The most extreme suggestion is to implement a complete ban on all electric scooters and bicycles. Other proposals include enhancing communication about the rules, increasing ticketing for violations or partnering with a third-party scooter company to operate on campus.
In the past years, MSU has attempted to partner with third-party scooter companies. In 2019, MSU announced a partnership with bike and scooter-sharing company Lime, but the partnership ended only 6 months later. Around Starkville, Bird scooters are available for rent. However, there is a “No Ride or Park” zone around MSU’s campus, barring the scooters from entering campus.
However, the only thing that has been solidified is increased messaging about the rules. Hyatt said that the committee is working with the Student Association to potentially create posters, stickers and other promotional materials to raise awareness of the rules. Additionally, a mass email will be sent out to everyone living in residence halls before next semester, reminding students that vehicles are not allowed inside the buildings. Hyatt said that there will be increased enforcement of that rule next semester.
“There have been several instances of fires primarily in residence halls where scooters are being stored,” Hyatt said. “It’s not about being heavy-handed. It is 100% about safety.”
There has also been an increase in stigmatization of scooters on campus. Students and faculty alike have reported both accidents and near-accidents frequently on campus. Hyatt said that she sees it every day in the YMCA Plaza and that many students look on in disdain at the scooters weaving through heavy pedestrian traffic.
“I think for the scooter rider, you just need to be more considerate of the people around you,” Hyatt said. “We understand that you’re riding the scooter from a convenience perspective, but everybody else has to also share this space.”
Scooter riders are also aware of the stigmatization against them. Gracie Grinnell, a sophomore software engineering major, said she rides her scooter to campus every weekday but sometimes has trouble with other riders.
“Scooters can be a good thing or they can be a bad thing,” Grinnell said. “It just depends on the person riding it.”
Students who walk around campus have varying opinions on scooters. Keyelle Holder, a junior elementary education major, said that they do not usually inconvenience her.
“They’ve been pretty respectful,” Holder said. “They do what they do, and I just walk around in those times.”
Other students echoed Holder’s opinion. Connor Price, a freshman aerospace engineering major, said they are not too harmful.
“They kind of are a little reckless,” Price said, “but, you know, it’s generally all right as long as they’re not driving like complete idiots.”
According to Hyatt, the most important thing scooter riders need to do is be considerate of their fellow students. Hyatt said that pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks, and scooter riders must be mindful of that if they want to keep their freedoms on campus.
“I think scooters are fun,” Hyatt said. “They’re a great, convenient way to get from place to place. However, we have to strike a better balance than the balance we have right now. We can do that without having to take some of these more drastic measures.”
