New Personal Transportation Device compliance requirements, effective January 1, 2025

• Campus News | Report

• Author By University Staff
• November 11, 2024

To ensure the safety and well-being of the campus community and facilities, Illinois State University is implementing new requirements for Personal Transportation Devices (PTDs) on campus, effective January 1, 2025.

Existing rules prohibit motorized PTD storage and charging in residence halls and campus housing only. The new Directive expands the prohibition of PTD storage and charging to all campus facilities, including but not limited to residence halls, academic buildings, and parking garages. PTDs may still be operated in outdoor areas on campus and may still be stored at outdoor bicycle racks available on campus. Check out the Campus Green Map for bike rack information. Locking your PTD to anything other than a bicycle parking rack is strictly prohibited across our campus. For more information, visit the Bike ISU website.

This change is being implemented to address the inherent dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries, which may include risks of fire, explosion, and other hazards. The Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) has recently begun collecting data on fires associated with micro-mobility/lithium-ion batteries via the Micro-mobility/Lithium Ion Battery Fire Reporting Program, indicating risks associated with these devices on college campuses and informing this best practice for our campus.

If a motorized PTD can't be stored and charged outside of a university building, then the owner will have to make alternate arrangements and consider not bringing the PTD to campus. The upcoming holiday break may be the best opportunity for students to remove PTDs from campus.

PTDs may include, but are not limited to:

• electric scooters
• electric bikes
• electric unicycles and one-wheels
• electric skateboards
• hoverboards
• gas-powered motor bicycles
• other transportation devices powered by lithium-ion batteries

This directive does not prohibit on-campus use of mobility assistance devices and other approved accommodations for persons with eligible disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for exceptions must be submitted to Student Access and Accommodations (students) or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (faculty and staff). Approvals must be received prior to bringing the device onto campus.

If a PTD is discovered or reported to be in a campus facility, Environmental Health and Safety may remove the device and relocate it to a nearby outdoor bicycle rack. While the device will be logged, tagged and locked for intended future retrieval by the owner, Illinois State University is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property that may result from the device relocation. To report a PTD in a University facility and/or inquire about a missing device, contact EHS at (309) 438-8325, Illinois State University Police Department at (309) 438-8631, or email EHS at [email protected].

To read the full directive, visit the Environmental Health and Safety website.