Bicycle / E-Bikes / Scooter Safety

Bicycle-vehicle and bicycle-pedestrian accidents do happen, and often it's because the cyclist is not obeying the law.

Here are some safety precautions to follow while riding a bicycle on campus

• A bicycle is recognized as a vehicle in Alabama and must follow the same rules as vehicles. This includes stopping for stop signs and at stop lights.
• Use bike lanes or bike paths when they are available. If no bike lane is available, ride on the right side of the road, as far right as you safely can, and in the same direction as the traffic.
• Do not ride on sidewalks. Under Alabama law, riding a bicycle on a sidewalk is illegal.
• When there's heavy pedestrian traffic, dismount your bicycle in deference to pedestrians.
• Walk your bicycle in pedestrian areas and through crosswalks.
• Everyone is encouraged to wear a helmet. This is required for cyclists under the age of 16.
• When riding at night, make sure your bicycle is equipped with a white headlight attached to the front and a clearly visible red reflector at the rear.
• Secure your bicycle to a bike rack when you're not riding it. Use a U-shaped bicycle lock to protect your bicycle and prevent theft. Bicycles locked to anything other than a bike rack are subject to removal.
• Students, faculty and staff who operate or store a bicycle on campus must register their bicycle with Parking Services. Registration is free. Learn more about registering your bicycle.

Electric bicycles, or E-Bikes, are bicycles equipped with fully operable pedals, a seat for the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. In Alabama, E-Bikes are divided into three categories:

• Class 1: The motor assists only when the rider is pedaling and the speed does not exceed 20 mph.
• Class 2: The motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle. However, the motor cannot provide assistance when the speed exceeds 20 mph.
• Class 3: The motor will assist only when the rider is pedaling and the speed does not exceed 28 mph. All Class 3 E-Bikes are required to be equipped with a speedometer. A bicycle helmet is required to ride a Class 3 E-Bike.

Like regular bicycles, E-Bikes must follow the rules of the road. That means stopping at stop signs and red lights, yielding when required, and not riding against traffic.

E-Bikes are generally allowed to go any place a regular bicycle can. E-bike riders have all the rights and duties of bicycle riders on the road. E-Bikes can be ridden on streets, highways, shoulders, bike lanes, and multi-use recreational paths just as cyclists do. However, under Alabama law, just like bicycles, E-Bikes are not allowed on sidewalks.

The University of Alabama has partnered with Veo to provide the UA community with an accessible, safe mobility option for students, faculty and campus visitors. The Veo Cosmo E-bikes can be found at designated bike racks around campus.

Whether you use a Veo e-bike or own your own, all e-bike riders should follow the same rules as those who ride a regular bicycle.

At the completion of your ride, return the Veo e-bike to a designated parking corral or any bike rack on campus.

Scooters are a lightweight device (under 100 lbs.) with handlebars but no seat for a rider, and an electric motor incapable of exceeding 20 mph on level ground.

In Alabama, electric scooters are classified as motor-driven cycles.

• A motorcycle Class M license is required to operate a scooter on public roads in Alabama.
• Since scooters are classified as motor vehicles in Alabama, operators are required to comply with registration, license plate, and insurance requirements.
• Tuscaloosa County requires scooters to be titled.
• A helmet is required for all motor-driven cycles, including scooters.
• Since scooters are considered motorcycles, they cannot be ridden on sidewalks and must only be ridden on roads.

Skateboards which have a motor to help propel the rider are not considered motor vehicles in Alabama. However, Tuscaloosa has an ordinance which forbids skateboards from being ridden in roadways, except while crossing a street in a crosswalk. Skateboarders should use sidewalks like pedestrians.

Here are some other safety tips to consider while riding a skateboard.

• Wear a helmet. Head injuries are particularly dangerous for those who use a skateboard. Research shows that wearing a helmet makes a significant difference in the event of an accident.
• Look out for vehicles and pedestrians. Many times drivers and pedestrians will not see you until it's too late. Always ride with caution and look out for others.
• Remove distractions such as cell phones and headphones while riding a skateboard.

Skateboards, scooters and any other micromobility vehicles that are propelled only by foot should not be ridden in roadways or in bike paths, except while crossing a street in a crosswalk. They should be ridden on sidewalks, but only when it's safe to do so without endangering pedestrians.

Here are some other safety tips to consider while riding a skateboard, non-motorized scooter, or other micromobility vehicle:

• Wear a helmet. Head injuries are particularly dangerous for those who use micromobility vehicles. Research shows that wearing a helmet makes a significant difference in the event of an accident.
• Look out for vehicles and pedestrians. Many times drivers and pedestrians will not see you until it's too late. Always ride with caution and look out for others.
• Remove distractions such as cell phones and headphones while riding.