Ohio Admin. Code 3341-6-40 - Bicycles, scooters, and other personal conveyance vehicles

(A) Policy statement and purpose

Bowling Green state university recognizes that students, faculty, and staff use a variety of means of transportation on campus. Although personal choice is important, the university must consider the safety and well-being of the campus community and visitors, as well as the preservation of university property. In an effort to balance the concern for safety with the use of various modes of transportation on campus, the university has issued this policy regarding the use of bicycles, scooters, and other personal conveyance vehicles on campus.

(B) Policy definitions

(1) Personal conveyance vehicle

A vehicle that is powered by the individual rider, by motor, or by batteries and that may be lawfully operated on sidewalks. These include, but are not limited to, bicycles, scooters, motorized scooters, mopeds, segways, roller blades/skates, skateboards, motorized skateboards, self-balancing scooters (hoverboards), and other similar wheeled devices.

(2) University property

Buildings, grounds, and land owned by Bowling Green state university or controlled by Bowling Green state university via lease or other contractual agreement.

(B) Policy definitions

Personal conveyance vehicles

Vehicles powered by the individual rider, by motor, or by batteries that may be operated on sidewalks. These include, but are not limited to, bicycles, motor scooters, mopeds, segways, roller blades/skates, skateboards, motorized skateboards, and self balancing scooters (hoverboards), and other similar-wheeled devices.

University property Buildings, grounds, and land that are owned by Bowling Green state university, or controlled by Bowling Green state university via lease or other contractual agreement.

(C) Policy scope

(1) This policy applies to all use of such personal conveyance vehicles in and on university property.

(2) This policy does not apply to:

(a) Wheelchairs and other personal mobility devices as defined by the ADA.

(b) Personal conveyance vehicles operated by the BGSU police, BGSU campus operations, or Bowling Green city police.

(c) Specifically approved or university sanctioned events involving personal conveyance vehicles.

(D) Policy

The following requirements govern the use of personal conveyance vehicles on university property.

(1) Bicycles, skateboards, and other personal Personal conveyance vehicles shall not be ridden in the following locations:

(a) Within any university building.

(b) On any ramp established for the use of persons with disabilities.

(c) On any stairs, stairways, landings, loading docks, handrails, or other raised surfaces such as ledges and parking curbs.

(d) On university structures, including but not limited to benches, column bases, walls, artwork, and sculptures.

(2) Riders shall obey all traffic signs and signals and operate at a safe speed. , and Riders shall yield to pedestrians at all times. Reckless or negligent operation of personal conveyance vehicles is prohibited and such vehicles shall not be used for racing, stunting, or trick riding.

(3) Personal conveyance vehicles outside of buildings must be parked in a manner which does not obstruct any sidewalk, street, path, or other routes of pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Bicycles and motorized scooters must be parked in provided bike racks or designated parking areas and must not be parked on lawns or sidewalks.

(4) Bicycles should be parked in provided bike racks or designated parking areas for bikes, and should not be parked on lawns or sidewalks. Bicycles and other personal Personal conveyance vehicles should must not be locked to trees or other landscaping, poles, signs, light fixtures, benches, fences, handrails, trash receptacles, pipes, fire hydrants, building fire connection equipment, or other fixtures.

(5) Motorized personal conveyance vehicles, including electric scooters and hoverboards, are not permitted to be stored or charged in residence halls or other university buildings.

(6) Per Ohio law, when operating a motorized personal conveyance vehicle after dark, the device or the operator must be equipped with or wearing both of the following:

(a) A lamp pointing to the front that emits a white light visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet; and

(b) A red reflector facing the rear that is visible from all distances from one hundred feet to six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.

(7) When operating a personal conveyance vehicle on or off university property, riders must follow all city ordinances and state laws.

(5)(8) The operator of a personal conveyance vehicles vehicle is liable for any injuries injury or damage resulting from the misuse or improper storage of vehicles the vehicle.

(6)(9) Personal conveyance vehicles found in violation of this policy may be removed by BGSU police, or other university staff at the direction of BGSU police, and impounded.

(E) Safety

(1) Use of a helmet is strongly recommended.

(2) Operators should not carry passengers unless the personal conveyance vehicle is designed for more than one rider.

(3) Operators must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when riding.

(4) Use of headphones or ear buds while riding is strongly discouraged.

(E)(F) Violation and accountability

Individuals that violate this policy will be subject to having the personal conveyance vehicle removed and impounded, as well as being subject to employee corrective action procedures, as defined in the appropriate employee handbook, collective bargaining agreement, the code of student code of conduct, or as per the Ohio Revised Code, and the city of Bowling Green Code of Ordinances, as applicable.

The university is not responsible for the cost of locks, chains, other security devices, or any other item that may be damaged or destroyed because of the removal of a personal conveyance vehicle; or for damages thay may occur during impoundment.

Additional information about impound and storage fees can be found at the BGSU police webpage under "Impound and Storage Fees."

Equity impact statement: The policy has been assessed for adverse differential impact on members of one or more protected groups.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 3341-6-40

Effective: 4/14/2022
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3341
Rule Amplifies: 3341
Prior Effective Dates: 03/17/2015, 03/28/2016