University of Miami Bans E-Bikes and E-Scooters in Busy Areas of Campus
Last Updated on August 7, 2025 by Kristina
Starting August 19, the University of Miami is putting stricter rules in place for e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar electric rideables. These changes are all about safety.
Students and staff will no longer be allowed to ride or park personal electric vehicles—like scooters, e-bikes, or hoverboards—on sidewalks, breezeways, the Foote Green, or any other crowded areas on the Coral Gables campus.
Why the change? According to UM’s Parking and Transportation Department, too many incidents have been happening. There have been crashes with pedestrians. Emergency routes are getting blocked. Even worse, battery fires have become a real concern.
“We want to protect the safety and well-being of our community,” the department said in a statement. They’re calling it a move toward “safer, smarter mobility.”
Distracted riding is also part of the problem. Students are often seen zipping through campus with headphones in and eyes on their phones. It’s dangerous—for them and for people walking nearby.
Here’s what the new policy includes:
- You can only park e-bikes, scooters, or other micromobility devices at designated outdoor racks.
- No charging or storing these devices indoors—this is strictly banned.
- You must register your device with the University of Miami Police Department.
- If you don’t follow the rules, you could get fined, have your ride impounded, or face other penalties.
This isn’t just happening at UM. Many universities around the country are starting to take similar steps. Lithium-ion battery fires and the fast rise of personal electric vehicles are pushing schools to rethink how these devices are used on campus.
Also worth noting: UM already bans shared scooter services like Bird and Lime—and they have no plans to change that.
Want to know where you can park your e-bike or scooter? Check out the new micromobility parking map at miami.edu/parking.
My Take
It’s clear that safety concerns are real, especially when it comes to battery fires and crowded walkways. Still, this type of policy raises questions about how campuses can support cleaner, electric transportation without simply banning it. Better infrastructure, clearer rules, and rider education could go a long way. Hopefully, more balanced solutions will come in the future—for UM and other schools facing the same challenge.
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