Personal Electric Transport Devices Policy

Devices covered: All classes of e-bikes, scooters, hoverboards, electric unicycles (monocycles), skateboards, one wheels, roller blades, segways, or any other wheeled personal transportation device powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Permitted Use: Use of these devices will be permitted on campus with restrictions on the location of use, charging, and storage.

Safety Risks: It has been well documented that there can be a serious threat to life, health, and property from fires associated with damaged, abused, defective, or substandard batteries and charging systems of these lithium-ion battery-powered devices. An unpredictable phenomenon called “Thermal Runaway” is the primary concern that can initiate an uncontrollable self-heating state and overheating of the battery, resulting in fire, explosion, and the release of toxic gases. This whole process can occur very quickly with little to no forewarning and can occur at any time, whether the device is being charged or simply in storage.

Regulatory Considerations: Even with the newly enacted New York legislation (July 2024) requiring batteries and charging systems to comply with safety standards, there are many devices in use that were manufactured prior to this legislation, and these devices may not conform to current safety standards.

Personal Responsibility Limitations: There is also a personal responsibility component that cannot be effectively monitored to ensure owners are adhering to safe charging and storage protocols.

Campus Infrastructure: There are currently no facilities on campus specially designed to house these devices for safe charging and storage.

Based on all the aforementioned issues and concerns, we have concluded that the risks are simply too great to allow unrestricted use, storage, and charging of personal electric transportation devices.

The University prohibits the storage or use of personal electric transportation devices powered by lithium-ion batteries inside any building, residence hall, or within any other campus structure.

Charging of these devices, or their battery, is prohibited at any indoor location on campus property.

These devices are permitted to be operated outdoors only on campus property, provided users follow all state, local, and campus traffic, pedestrian, and personal safety laws and regulations.

These devices are permitted to be temporarily stored (locked) outdoors only on campus property in any designated bike rack. These devices are not permitted to be locked or stored on any utility pole, tree, handrail, loading dock, canopy, or at any location that blocks any building egress, ADA ramp, or any other location that impedes pedestrians or emergency responders.

University Police personnel are authorized to store personal electric transportation devices until such time as the owner is able to remove them from University property or the personal electric transportation device is considered abandoned pursuant to department policy.

Questions about this policy should be directed to the Environmental Health and Safety Office or University Police.

Exemptions

Individuals who require electric personal mobility devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, or other devices due to an ADA disability, injury, or other medical condition supported by medical use need are exempt from regulations 1 and 2 but must adhere to use, charging, and storage rules outlined in this policy if those devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries.

Charging and Storage

This section only applies to individuals exempt from this policy who require to use such devices due to an ADA disability, injury or other condition supported by a medical use need.

Charging:
Charging of batteries will be permitted inside buildings by those exempt from this policy, provided the following rules and criteria are followed and met:

• Devices, batteries, and charging equipment must be listed and labeled in accordance with UL2272 or UL2849. Any device lacking these UL listings will not be permitted on campus.
• Any device, battery, or charging equipment on a recall list is prohibited on campus.
• Use only the battery or charger that was designed for that device and that came with the device.
• Charging device must be plugged directly into a wall outlet during charging. Do not use extension cords, power strips, or any other multi-prong electrical connection.
• You must always be present while the battery is charging. Do not leave a battery on charge while you are sleeping or not in attendance.
• Do not charge a device at a location that blocks egress pathways.
• When charging is complete, unplug the charger from the outlet.
• Do not continue charging the device or battery after it is fully charged.
• Only charge one device or device battery at a time.
• Keep batteries at room temperature. Do not charge at temperatures below 32 ̊F or above 105 ̊F.
• Do not charge any device or battery that is damaged, malfunctioning, or is abnormally hot, hissing, or emitting any type of odor or smoke.
• Do not place any battery in the trash.

Storage:
Storage of devices will be permitted inside buildings by those exempt from this policy, provided the following rules and criteria are followed and met:

• Never leave a device in storage unattended while charging.
• Do not block pathways, hallways, exits, or stairwells with devices.
• Do not store batteries or devices in direct sunlight or inside hot vehicles.