Boston College will ban electric scooters and other electric transportation devices, including hover boards and electric skateboards, from campus beginning December 22.
According to a December 7th letter sent to the BC community from Vice President for Student Affairs Shawna Cooper Whitehead, Vice President for Human Resources David Trainor, and Executive Director of Public Safety William Evans, the decision was made to help ensure the safety of all members of the BC community.
“In recent weeks, Boston College administrators have become increasingly concerned about the use of e-scooters and other electric transportation devices on campus, especially in regard to the health and personal safety of riders, pedestrians, and building occupants,” the administrators said in the letter. “Many faculty, staff, and students have reported near-collisions and limited access to facilities because of scooters, and recharging lithium batteries in such vehicles has resulted in numerous fires around the United States. Additionally, a number of BC students have suffered injuries from e-scooter falls, and such accidents have caused serious injuries on college campuses across the country.”
Specifically, the new policy prohibits the use, storage, and charging of electric scooters and similar electric transportation devices on all campus roadways, walking paths, parking lots, and green spaces, as well as all University buildings, residence halls, and facilities.
In announcing the decision, BC joins a growing list of colleges and universities nationwide that are imposing campus-wide bans on electric scooters as a safety measure. In addition to e-scooter injuries, there have been several well-publicized incidences of deadly fires in apartment buildings that were caused by overheated e-scooter batteries.
The letter states that electric bicycles will continue to be allowed on campus, provided that owners follow all applicable traffic rules, store the e-bicycles properly on bike racks, and do not bring the bicycles into any campus facilities. Electronic mobility aids for individuals with disabilities are also exempted from the new policy.
The letter encourages individuals who have electric scooters, hoverboards, and electric skateboards on campus to make arrangements to bring them home during the Christmas break, or to store them in a safe location off campus. Electric transportation devices found on campus after December 22, administrators said, will be subject to confiscation by University officials, and violations of the policy will result in sanctions.
“We ask for understanding and cooperation regarding this decision, and that you join us in helping keep our campus community as safe as possible.”
University Communications | December 2022