Listen Here
By Victoria Hansen
hansenv@findlay.edu
According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials, people took 150 million rides on e-bikes and e-scooters in 2025 alone.
“We have seen an increase every year,” John Dunbar, University of Findlay captain of campus police and safety/security, said. “Before, we had four individuals with them; next semester we had 10, and now I’ve got no idea how many there are.”
However, according to a 2025 study, people who used electric devices were also significantly more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital than those who used traditional bicycles.
“They’re problematic, I’ll be honest,” William Spraw, chief of police and director of security said. “If they would ride them with sense, obey stop signs, and yield to pedestrians, we would be fine.”
E-scooters are considered “electric personal assistive mobility devices” according to Ohio law and are held to similar laws as manual bicycles. Ohio state law requires that operators of these vehicles cannot pass pedestrians without audibly signaling, ride at night without lamps and reflectors, or use pedestrian-only spaces if they are marked for specialized pedestrian use.
“Bicycles weren’t much of an issue because technically, you could go fast, but not that fast,” Dunbar said. “The problem with e-bikes and e-scooters is that they’re electronic. You can go from zero to whatever pretty fast.”
Both Dunbar and Spraw have seen an increase in e-scooters on campus and a reduction of bicycles. Dunbar said that e-scooters and e-bikes pose an increased risk to pedestrians due to higher maximum speeds. Most e-scooters top out at 19 or 20 miles an hour, but there are some models can go as fast as 35 miles per hour.
“If you’re at a crosswalk, you have right of way,” Dunbar said. “But if you get hit, even if you’re right, the scooter still wins.”
These concerns for student safety have led to the creation of local, and campus-wide policies. The City of Findlay newsroom published a public safety message on July 1, 2026, reminding e-scooter riders and cyclists to follow road signs, signal turns, and ride to the right edge as much as possible.
UF has responded to the prevalence of a new self-propelled and e-mobility device policy on campus. Self-propelled devices include bicycles, skateboards, and scooters, while e-mobility devices include e-scooters and e-bikes. Motorized wheelchairs and other mobility aids for people with disabilities are not restricted by this policy.
“We’re looking at adapting and adjusting the policy so that they can be used on sidewalks and areas around campus as long as they’re being used safely,” said Johnathan Ferraro, associate vice president for student life. “We encourage students to wear a helmet and padding for their own personal safety.”
The new e-scooter policy encourages, but does not require, the use of helmets, reflective clothing, and other safety gear while riding. E-mobility operators must, among other requirements, yield to pedestrians, follow all posted signs, and “reduce speed significantly in pedestrian-heavy areas,” according to university policy.
Johnathan Ferraro, associate vice president for student life, says the new policy is all about safety.
“We’re making sure that they’re going at a safe speed so they’re not zipping down the sidewalk of Cory Street at 80 miles an hour, because that’s not safe for anyone,” Ferraro said.
While the new e-mobility device policy does not place an exact speed limit for crowded areas, the maximum legal speed for e-scooters in Ohio is 20 miles per hour.
The new policy bans, among other activities, reckless operation, excessive speed, and distracted riding, along with any other conduct that endangers persons or property.
The new policy also discusses golf carts and other gas-powered vehicles, which are restricted to use on roads only, unless on university business.
Violations of the new policies can lead to verbal/written warnings, loss of transportation device privileges, impoundment of the device, and student disciplinary action.
