New E-Scooter and Electronic Device Policy for IUP Buildings, Outdoor Space

Following many concerns raised about the safety of pedestrians, drivers, and users of electronic mobile devices -- including concerns from the IUP Department of Public Safety and University Police -- IUP has adopted a new policy that prohibits electronic personal mobility devices on IUP property, both in all IUP owned and managed buildings and outdoor spaces on the Indiana and Punxsutawney campuses. This policy does not apply to our facilities at Penn Center East in Pittsburgh.

This policy also prohibits the use, storage, charging and transportation of these devices on IUP property due to safety concerns about fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries commonly used in these devices.

This decision follows discussions about campus safety with the University Senate, as well as with our Indiana community first responders.

This policy will go into effect on August 1, 2026.

Items no longer permitted on IUP properties include:

• Electronic scooters (e-scooters)
• Electronic skateboards (e-skateboards)
• Hoverboards
• Segways
• Motorized unicycles
• Similar electronic personal transportation devices – (ie, electronic roller skates)

This policy does NOT affect the use of medical personal mobility devices.

Mobility aids required for medical or disability-related purposes, including electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, remain permitted for use in IUP buildings and outdoor spaces. Employees using these medical personal mobility devices should work with the Office of Human Resources to secure the appropriate accommodation documents. Students using these medical personal mobility devices should work with the Department of Disability Access and Advising (D²A²)

Electronic bicycles (e-bikes) remain permitted on campus roadways and designated bicycle paths, provided operators comply with all applicable traffic laws and regulations. E-bikes must be secured on approved outdoor bicycle racks and are prohibited inside all University buildings.

Due to concerns about fire risks, charging e-bikes on campus is not permitted.

Standard motor vehicles, golf carts used for authorized University purposes, and University maintenance equipment are not affected by this policy.

The policy applies to all students, employees, contractors, affiliates, and visitors to any campus property, both buildings and outdoor spaces.

University Police will address violations of this policy.

IUP also reserves the right to recover costs associated with damage or repairs resulting from policy violations.

We understand that this policy change may present an inconvenience to users of these devices but maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all members of our campus community, including our visitors, remains our priority.

If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office via email or by phone at 724-357-4872; University Police at publicsafety-police@iup.edu or by phone 724-357-2141; Human Resources at human-resources@iup.edu or by phone 724-357-2431; or the Department of Disability Access and Advising at disability-access@iup.edu or by phone 724-357-4067.