Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Regulate Scooters On University Campuses

BERKELEY, CA — A bill introduced in the state senate last week by California State Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, would allow universities to enact regulations for the use of personal transportation devices including scooters, according to a news release issued by Dodd's office.

Senate Bill 295, should it pass, would expand existing authority for a public agency including the University of California and California State University systems to establish rules and regulations for the use and storage of personal-assistive mobility devices on its campuses, including at University of California Berkeley.

"It also would allow for the operation of small, fuel-efficient work vehicles on campus roads," the news release said.

The measure, which is is sponsored by the University of California, could apply to other public agencies.

Dodd said the bill was motivated by a fatal bicycle crash at U.C. Davis and an overall increase in crashes on university campuses.

"Emerging electric devices travel at high speeds and operate silently, providing little to no warning to pedestrians and motorists. My bill expands authority of public colleges to set commonsense rules and regulations that will keep our communities safe," Dodd said in the news release.