Together, We Can Keep U-M Pathways Safe With Rise in Micro-Mobility

E-bike and scooter injuries treated in emergency rooms are on the rise. In 2026, injuries related to e-scooters and e-bikes almost tripled year over year in patients visiting the emergency department at U-M Health.

Across campus, on any given day, one might see riders on these devices and unicycles. Traditional bikes and skateboards also propel micro-mobility.

But as the use of such devices increases across the country and on campuses, faculty, staff, and students must work together to ensure the safety of all community members.

A League of American Bicyclists Study notes that 39% of campuses report daily e-bike use. Some of the challenges associated with increasing use of micro-mobility on college campuses include falls, pedestrian hits, car-door collisions, and other near misses. And some of the research indicates that e-bike riders are significantly more vulnerable to moderate-to-severe trauma, such as skull fractures and internal bleeding, compared to traditional cyclists.

Speed is a culprit. E-bikes can reach speeds above 20 mph, and when operated in tight pedestrian plazas on campus they can cause high-speed collisions and severe injuries. At Illinois State University, an assistant vice president for student affairs was struck on campus and died four days afterward.

At U-M, riders are not permitted on sidewalks and must stay in designated lanes or the street. This includes the Diag, Law School Quad and other walkable plazas.

Bikes left abandoned, blocking ADA access ramps, emergency exits, walkways, and stairways, pose a potential hazard for community members with limited mobility. They can also be a barrier to safe evacuations for community members during drills or real-time emergencies.

Mopeds fall in a separate category. Under Michigan law, they are classified as motor vehicles and cannot be driven on sidewalks. Riders should obey all applicable traffic laws.

At U-M, riders should follow all posted restrictions, use designated parking areas around campus, marked with signs; many in parking structures. Mopeds (and motorcycles) are not allowed to park in regular, permitted parking spaces. A moped may be walked through structures or to parking areas.

Reducing these risks requires a shared commitment to responsible riding and parking. Riders should wear helmets, slow down in crowded areas, yield to pedestrians, remain alert to their surroundings, and park only in designated locations that do not obstruct accessible routes, exits, walkways, or stairways.

Whether traveling on two wheels, one wheel, or a scooter, every member of the U-M community has a role in keeping campus pathways accessible and safe for everyone.

Stay safe and Go Blue!

— By Rick Arnold, Division of Public Safety and Security