Micromobility

Micromobility Regulations

WHAT IS MICROMOBILITY?

Micromobility vehicles are a range of lightweight, low-speed vehicles driven by users, such as bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and e-scooters.

Registration is required for all micromobility vehicles. Each vehicle must display a registration sticker in a visible location.

The University of Louisville does not allow e-scooters, bicycles or any other small, motorized transportation devices inside campus buildings or in any locations restricted by university signage, state law, or local ordinance.

Personal mobility aids (PMAs) designed to support individuals with limited mobility, such as power wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking aids with powered assistance, are not included in this regulation. 


 OPERATING REGULATIONS

Kentucky Law (KRS 186.010) regulates micromobility vehicles under the same code that regulates standard bicycles. 

Individuals may operate micromobility vehicles on any pedestrian walkways or sidewalks located on its campuses, on public right of ways, or clearly mark bicycle paths/lanes in accordance with this policy, state laws, and local ordinances. Individuals should adhere to the following rules when operating a micromobility vehicles, or bicycle on the permitted areas noted above when on UofL campuses: Micromobility users should ride in bike lanes, on designated bike paths or on the road.  

  • Micromobility vehicles must be always operated at a safe speed and yield to pedestrians.
  • Use of micromobility vehicles is prohibited inside university buildings, residence halls, and parking garages.
  • Helmets are strongly recommended for all riders.
  • Riders must comply with local and state laws governing e-scooter operation.

Please note, e-scooters may not be brought onto Shuttle buses, unless they are foldable. 

Individuals will be held personally responsible for any damage caused to university property as a result of the operation of a personal transportation device on university property. Individuals assume the risk of personal injury and death and will be held responsible for any injuries to themselves or others because of any violation of this Policy or the improper operation of any personal transportation device on university property.

REGISTRATION

Registration through Bike Index is required (and free!) for all micromobility vehicles on University of Louisville campuses and is available to anyone with UofL credentials. You only need to register once, and registration never expires. All micromobility vehicles that are not registered will be issued with a warning citation and a reminder to register the micromobility device. If the device is not registered within 2 weeks a $10 citation will be issued to the device. If the device is registered and the free micromobility permit is picked up from the parking office within 72 business hours the citation will be waived. 

BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION

  • A record of bike ownership, which helps us to track down your bike if it goes missing or has been stolen.
  • Notification if your bike is relocated or at risk of being relocated by parking enforcement.
  • Updates about campus bike events, amenities, policy changes and safety issues.
  • Supports campus bike planning and infrastructure improvements.
  • Ease in reporting bike theft to affiliated parties, including IUPD and Parking Operations.

 

PARKING AND STORAGE REGULATIONS

E-scooters must be parked only in designated scooter or bicycle parking areas.

Bicycles must be parked at bicycle racks. 

Parking in the following locations is prohibited:

  • Sidewalks that block pedestrian flow
  • ADA ramps or accessible pathways
  • Building entrances or exits
  • Landscaping, courtyards, or stairwells

Improperly parked scooters and bikes may be impounded and subject to fines or storage fees.

Electric micromobility vehicles are strictly prohibited inside campus buildings including residence halls and academic buildings due to the fire hazard posed by their lithium-ion batteries. Violators of this policy are subject to:

  • $25 citation and $35 impound fee
    • Immediate impoundment of their electric micromobility vehicle
    • Students found in violation of this policy may face additional review in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

ADA PARKING VIOLATIONS

Micromobility vehicles owners may be assessed an immediate $25 ADA parking fine and $35 impound fee for any vehicle that is parked in a manner that blocks access to handrails, stairways, walkways, ramps, benches, building entrances and exits or sidewalk curb cuts. 

Reports of ADA parking violations can come from any member of the UofL community and Parking & Transportation Services will issue violations to all identifiable micromobility vehicles that are deemed to be violating ADA regulations.

Parking & Transportation Services is responsible for enforcing e-scooter and e-bike parking regulations.

 

IMPOUNDED, BOOTED, LOST OR STOLEN MICROMOBILITY VEHICLES 

IMPOUNDED BIKE OR E-SCOOTER

Micromobility vehicles that are not parked at designated scooter corrals or bike racks may be impounded immediately for improper parking. 

Bike racks near campus buildings are checked for abandoned devices on an ongoing basis. Devices that are left during the summer months or that appear abandoned (excessive rust, flat tires, missing components) will receive a warning tag. This tag indicates that the device must be moved before a set date, of one week from the placement of the tag. If the device is not moved, it will be impounded.

Booting, impound and storage fees will apply. Any locks used to secure an improperly parked micromobility vehicle may be removed and possibly damaged by university personnel while relocating the vehicle. The university shall not be liable for the cost of repair or replacement of locking devices.

 

BOOTED MICROMOBILITY VEHICLES

Unregistered micromobility vehicles are subject to booting or impoundment.

  • If your device is booted or impounded, the owner will have 90 calendar days to claim it from Parking & Transportation Services and pay any relevant citation, storage and impoundment fees.
  • Please be aware that if your micromobility vehicle was not registered at the time of impoundment, you will be required to register your bicycle or e-scooter/e-bike at the time of retrieval.
  • Parking & Transportation Services are unable to return devices to individuals without proof of ownership.

 

APPEALS

Citations may be appealed by submitting a written declaration that outlines your reasons for contesting. Requests for review must be received within 7 days of the issuance date. Correspondence received without name or address will not be reviewed.

 

CHARGING RESTRICTIONS

  • Charging any micromobility vehicles inside university buildings, including residence halls, academic buildings, and offices—is prohibited for fire-safety reasons.
  • For safety, accessibility, and compliance reasons, e-scooters may only be charged in designated external areas and must not be charged within internal building spaces, including hallways, stairwells, apartments, or common areas.
    • When charging micromobility vehicles externally, users must ensure that:
      • Chargers and cables do not obstruct walkways, entrances, or emergency exits.
      • Charging equipment is in good condition and used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
      • Micromobility vehicles are not left unattended for extended periods while charging.
      • Charging occurs only at approved power outlets and not through unauthorized extensions or temporary connections.

The university reserves the right to remove any micromobility vehicle or charging equipment that poses a safety risk or does not comply with these stipulations.

 

PROTECT YOUR DEVICE FROM THEFT

When locking your micromobility vehicle, use a u-lock. The solid steel of a u-lock is more difficult to cut than the braided steel of cable locks or the thinner steel of chain locks. The thicker the lock you purchase, the more difficult it will be to cut.

Always lock your frame to the bike rack with the u-lock. Avoid locking only the front fork or a single wheel, as this can leave the rest of the vehicle vulnerable to theft.