Arizona State University pulls plug, for now, on electric scooters on campus

PHOENIX — Wave goodbye to those electric scooters that buzz around the Arizona State University main campus.

The dockless rides are being driven off campus for safety reasons, the school said.

The Tempe campus was highlighted in red on company apps, meaning the area was off limits for use of Bird and Lime scooters, The State Press reported last week.

ASU released a statement explaining the decision:

The electric scooters that have recently become ubiquitous around Tempe and the ASU campus are a nuisance and potential danger when operated without the proper training and education. They are prohibited on campus by policy ASU PDP 207-01, which has been in effect since September 1, 1963. It is not a new policy.

Recently, ASU reminded the companies providing these scooters of the restrictions on campus and the companies have begun the process of alerting customers where they can and cannot ride and park these devices. ASU expects it will receive the full cooperation of the companies operating scooters near its campuses.

The university recognizes the potential value of the scooters and the convenience they provide for many of its students, faculty and staff. Working with student government leaders and the City of Tempe, ASU is willing to look at what an appropriate model for their use would be, as long as safety is the top priority for all parties involved. To that end, the university will soon begin an educational campaign on the rules surrounding vehicles such as the electric scooters now blanketing the area.”

The two bike- and scooter-sharing companies were sued in Los Angeles in a class-action lawsuit filed last week, the Washington Post reported.

At least three people in the lawsuit, according to the newspaper, said they have been seriously injured because riders ran into them from behind and alleged the companies were aware riders were hurting pedestrians and doing nothing to stop it.

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