Incident Lessons Learned: E‑Scooter Safety
29 November 2024
Summary
Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) has received several reports of incidents involving e-scooters on campus in recent months. These incidents have included collisions with pedestrians, falls resulting in injuries and unsafe riding behaviours. E-scooters can be a convenient transportation option but also pose risks if not operated safely and in accordance with university policies.
Consequences
Recent e-scooter incidents have resulted in injuries to both riders and pedestrians, including scrapes, bruises and in some cases, more serious injuries requiring medical attention. Property damage has also occurred in some collisions. Unsafe e-scooter use creates hazards for the campus community and can lead to fines or loss of riding privileges.
Culture of Care
The Culture of Care calls on all members of the university community to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. E-scooter riders should operate vehicles responsibly, follow all traffic rules, e-scooter guidelines and university policies, and be considerate of pedestrians. Pedestrians should also remain alert as they travel on campus. Anyone who observes unsafe e-scooter use is encouraged to report it.
Call to Action
To promote safe e-scooter use on campus:
- Wear a helmet and appropriate protective gear when using an e-scooter.
- Ride at a safe speed and yield to pedestrians.
- Park e-scooters only in a safe location to avoid creating obstacles.
- Do not ride e-scooters while impaired or distracted.
- Report unsafe e-scooter behaviours to University of Alberta Protective Services and submit an ARISE Incident Report .
The University of Alberta is committed to providing a safe environment for all modes of transportation on campus. By following safety guidelines, we can help ensure e-scooters remain a positive transportation option.