A: The recent rise of scooters can be attributed to the same reasons that make bicycles a popular choice. “It’s a big campus,” says freshman Christopher Wilson, who often rides a nonelectric scooter to quickly cover long distances between classes. He prefers the scooter over a bike not just because he found a good deal online, but because he says it’s easier to maneuver around pedestrians and vehicles. Avoiding collisions on busy sidewalks during class changes, Wilson says, “is one of the hardest parts.” According to Penn State Police spokeswoman Jacqueline Sheader, people riding scooters are expected to abide by the same rules as pedestrians and are not permitted on roadways. They are allowed on sidewalks, though they must yield to pedestrians. Those who violate the safety policy by disregarding stop signs or using roadways for travel may have their first violation waived by completing training in Penn State’s Bicycle Education and Enforcement Program, which promotes education and awareness of safe travel on campus. Electric scooters are classified as motor-driven vehicles per Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and are not legal on campus. Unlike bicycles, human-powered scooters are not required to be registered, but they’re often found locked up at campus bike racks. 

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