The UCA campus has seen increased scooter use, leading to the university revisiting scooter policies and procedures. 

On Oct. 21, UCAPD sent out an email that said, “We have noticed an increase in scooter traffic on campus this semester and want to remind everyone of the campus scooter policies.”

The email cites Board Policy 423, stating that UCAPD will confiscate any scooters inside buildings, and the scooter’s owner will have to pick it up from the police department.

Michael Hopper, the public information officer for UCAPD, said, “There is Board Policy 423, that covers scooters and other wheels — skateboards, roller blades, that sort of thing. We’ve had people riding these things in buildings and that’s one of the reasons that a lot of these signs have gone up.” 

“We had one person that actually burned a hole through the top coat of the flooring,” he said. “Somebody spun their wheels on their scooter, and it burned through. It actually marred the tile and stuff underneath it.” 

The Oct. 21 email also cited an Arkansas law stating, “Scooters shall not be operated at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour.”

Hopper said UCAPD has not filed any actual police reports regarding scooter incidents.

“We have had reports of people driving them erratically, like on the sidewalks and recklessly on the sidewalks,” he said. “There has been an increase in those sorts of incidents where people are not driving them [scooters] in a manner that they should be.” 

SGA Executive President Phoenix Vu said he talked to UCAPD Chief John Merguie, and the general counsel, which includes Adam Rose and Warren Readnour.

“I just reached out to them after I had a lot of people reach out to me about their concerns about scooter safety and just the increasing presence of scooters on campus,” Vu said. 

Vu said they discussed whether or not the scooter policies needed to be updated.

“We met and we looked at board policies, student handbook, calling ordinances, state law — stuff like that,” Vu said. “We concluded that there was no need to make or amend any policies or anything like that, but that students probably just needed a reminder of how to properly use scooters.” 

Vu said different departments put up the signs posted on the outer doors of each building. 

“I think just based on the need within the buildings, people have seen other people bringing them [scooters] inside buildings. So they just created their own signs,” he said.

Hopper said the lithium batteries could also be a safety concern.

“I think there were some incidents of some of those [lithium batteries on hoverboards] that actually caught fire while they were being charged. You know, those [hoverboards] were really big on campus at one time several years ago,” he said. 

Vu said when people operate scooters, they should prioritize “safety first and foremost.”

“I’ll say the presence of scooters is a lot higher than before,” he said. “There are a lot more people on scooters, electric scooters, this year than in previous semesters.”

Calee Goble, a junior film major, said scooters are “really convenient” for students.

“I understand the need for them, but I don’t think people really understand the safety precautions they need to take when riding those,” she said.

Goble said she understands the enforcement of keeping scooters outside, but she feels there needs to be a place for students to keep their scooters.

“I see where it’s a safety hazard, especially riding it inside,” Goble said. “But I also understand not wanting to leave your scooter outside as a whole because I feel like most of the places where we chain up bikes and things, those are made for bikes, not scooters, so I obviously don’t want to leave my scooter outside.”

Senior Jameson Watkins said, “I think it’s totally fair that scooters aren’t allowed in the halls, but if you can do a kickflip on it I think it’s chill if you bring it inside. I believe in the right to bear — UCA reference — scooters, after all.” 

Leah LeVar, a freshman majoring in creative writing, said she has “no particular feelings” regarding scooter policies.

“But it’s annoying when I feel like I’m about to be run over,” LeVar said.

Alex Weeks, a freshman majoring in psychology, said, “It depends on the person and the speed they’re going at and where they’re using them. I think if you’re in the middle of a sidewalk, it’s pretty annoying.” 

Weeks said she has gotten “a little scared a couple of times” when a scooter has passed her on the sidewalk.

“I didn’t realize that people were using those things inside, so it’s probably a good thing that they’re outside now,” Weeks said.

Kevin Nguyen, a freshman marketing major, said he was almost hit by a scooter while waiting at the crosswalk in front of the College of Business.

“This lady was on this scooter, and she was going hella fast, like really fast,” Nguyen said. “I literally had to jump really fast.” 

Hopper said people on campus should ride scooters with care.

“Ride them with a little bit of care and a little bit of deference,” he said. “When you’re on the sidewalks, just be aware that there are other people around you and just take care when you ride them.”