Electric scooters can be a convenient way to travel on and around campus. Because scooters share roads and pathways with cars, bicycles, and pedestrians—and may be less visible to drivers—it is important to remain alert especially at intersections, crosswalks, and in crowded areas. Please keep the following safety precautions in mind:
To help prevent injuries, riders should follow these safety precautions:
– Obey all traffic laws, posted signs, signals, and university regulations.
– Wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride. Riders under 18 years old must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet per California Vehicle Code § 21235(c).
– Ride at a safe speed appropriate for pedestrian and traffic conditions. The maximum speed limit allowed is 15 mph per California Vehicle Code § 22411.
– Riders must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit per California Vehicle Code § 21235(d).
– Riding on sidewalks is illegal, except briefly to enter or leave adjacent property per California Vehicle Code § 21235(g).
– Slow down in crowded areas, near building entrances, and at intersections.
– Use hand signals to indicate turns and stops.
– Yield to pedestrians and provide an audible warning before passing.
– Ride defensively and watch for vehicles, pedestrians, uneven pavement, debris, and other hazards.
– Never use a cellphone, headphones, or other devices that may cause distraction while riding.
– Never operate a scooter while under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or other impairing substances per California Vehicle Code § 21221.5.
– Do not carry passengers per California Vehicle Code § 21235(e); electric scooters are designed for one rider.
– Keep both hands on the handlebars and avoid sudden turns or stops.
– Use lights and reflective clothing when riding at night or in low-visibility conditions.
– Inspect the scooter’s brakes, tires, lights, and steering before riding.
– Park scooters only in designated areas without blocking sidewalks, entrances, ramps, or accessible pathways. While on campus, always park your scooter at a bike rack. There are more than 60 racks at UPC.
– University safety tips and regulations can also be found here, https://safety.usc.edu/tips/mobility-speed/.
All members of the university community are encouraged to make safe and responsible choices when operating electric scooters. A few extra moments of caution can help prevent serious injuries and protect everyone traveling on and around campus.
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USC Transportation provides options to travel around USC including the Lyft Rides Program:
- Get a Ride: Lyft is available at HSC and UPC to cover shared rides. Lyft at UPC is open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week (*o n home football game days, the program begins 5 hours after scheduled kickoff). Lyft at HSC is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday only. Please visit the USC Lyft page for more information.
- Verify your driver and car: Once you have requested a Lyft ride, you can view the driver’s rating. When your ride arrives, make sure the driver’s photo, license plate number, and vehicle description match. Never take a ride you did not request or get into a car that doesn’t match the details provided by the Lyft app.
- Go the extra mile: The Lyft app’s “share your ETA” function allows you to invite friends to see your trip in real-time. The app will draft a text message you can share with friends that includes your ETA and a link to a live map that allows them to track your trip. Too much effort? Call a friend and stay on the line while you’re in the car instead.
To receive more information from USC DPS, please register for TrojansAlert:
- TrojansAlert: Register for USC’s emergency notification system TrojansAlert t o allow university officials to contact you during an emergency by sending messages via text message and email. (Please note that students, staff and faculty automatically are signed up for TrojansAlerts.
For additional USC Resources, please visit USC Report & Response.
