Micromobility; a policy in progress
Utah State University’s main campus in Logan spans 400 acres; students often walk to classes and events, but others have found they can save time getting to class by using micromobility devices.
The term micromobility includes, but is not limited to, the following devices: skateboards, scooters, bicycles, electric scooters, longboards, penny boards, rollerblades and one wheels.
Micromobility on Utah State’s campus is technically covered under USU Policy 501, a policy that was last updated in 1998.
“The use of bicycles, skateboards, and in-line skates shall be allowed only as a means of transportation on walkways and other vehicular travelways of USU. Anyone using a bicycle, skateboard, or in-line skates on USU property shall give right of way to any pedestrian and shall travel at a reasonable, safe, and prudent speed. Under no circumstance will bicycling, skateboarding, or in-line skating be allowed on ramps, curbs, benches, steps, or stairs and other such structures. The use of bicycles, skateboards, or inline skates shall not be permitted inside any building,” the current policy reads.
This past July, the city of Logan entered into an agreement with a micromobility company called Bird. Logan residents can recognize Bird’s white electric scooters everywhere in Logan except on Utah State’s campus.
“Utah State falls under a different jurisdiction than the city of Logan,” said Russ Holley, senior city planner.
Therefore, Utah State decided to not allow Bird Scooters onto their campus for safety reasons according to Amanda DeRito, associate vice president for strategic communications.
“Safety is always a top priority. Our walkways are particularly crowded between classes, and we want to make sure everyone can move safely where they need to go,” DeRito wrote in an email.
When asked, the following departments declined to comment on micromobility, or Bird scooters: USU Police, Risk Management, USU Policy office, Parking and Transportation and USU COSAS.
USU does have plans to update both Policy 501 and Policy 509, which covers walkway safety. Plans for the updates started back in February of 2022, but they were later delayed due to the unprecedented departure of former Vice President of Student Affairs James Morales.
Morales had been an advocate for micromobility usage on campus due to its positive environmental impact.
DeRito wrote the committee is hoping to have the final policy within the next six months. This policy is created through collaborative effort with USU departments such as Finance and Administrative Services, Sustainability and Risk Management, and the Public Safety Department.
Nate Omer, the USUSA natural resources college senator, sits on the committee as a student representative.
“Micro-mobility directly influences student transportation choices, behaviors, and therefore carbon footprint,“ Omer wrote in an email.
Omer is a personal micromobility user on campus and discussed mircromobility communities on campus such as Aggie Blue Bikes, who host a fair amount of small events like Bike to Breakfast, which occurs early in the school year.
Cache Valley has three, soon to be four, skate parks, but Utah State has no clubs or events held for skaters. There were attempts in the spring semester of 2023 to create a Girls Skate Club, but it is no longer running.
“It could be that campus is snowed in for much of the school-year and people’s transport habits tend to change with that, but there’s certainly enough warm weather at the start and end of the school year for events. Blue Goes Green and the Office of Sustainability would certainly be interested in helping to organize more events to promote micromobility options,” Omer wrote.
Not all students are fans of micromobility; the crowded sidewalks can get tense with students flying by at a much faster pace than walking. Omer wrote that in the winter months as snow banks build up the sidewalks get even smaller, making the shared space even more crowded.
“Also earbuds are a big issue.” Omer wrote. “I know noise canceling is great and people love to jam out while cruising around campus. I do it myself a fair bit, but being aware of your surroundings is really the number one thing someone can do to make things run smoother on campus sidewalks.”