By Meghan Marsh
They’re orange, they’re electric, and they’re back. E-scooters have reappeared on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus as a continuation of a naturalistic driving study led by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and Ford-owned micromobility company Spin.
One hundred new e-scooters are available at university ride-share stations using the Spin app for short commutes across campus. A fleet of approximately 200 e-scooters will be fully deployed beginning Aug. 25. Fifty e-scooters will be outfitted with Virginia Tech Transportation Institute sensors and data collection equipment that allows researchers to study riding behavior.
The e-scooter research study, launched originally in the fall of 2019 and paused in March 2020 due to COVID-19, records and analyzes trends in e-scooter rider behavior, interactions with other road users, and other valuable safety data.
Enhanced risks associated with riding on varying topographies and a need for increased safety education on the importance of wearing helmets while riding were among themes that arose from the initial study phase data.
“Data collected showed that transitioning between different surface types — such as to or from pavement to grass — is 60 times riskier than riding on flat pavement. We also noted that riding on rough or soft surfaces will at least double the risk of a crash or near crash. The risk is also three times as high when riding on grass,” said Michael Mollenhauer, director of the Division for Technology Implementation at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.
“We are excited to bring a new, more robust scooter to campus. S-100 7th edition has dual kickstands for increased stability when parked, three independent braking systems, and dual suspension for smooth riding,” said John Lankford, head of campus partnerships at Spin. “A vast majority of incidents on campus in 2019 and 2020 were not caused by conflicts with pedestrians or other road users and could have been prevented with more safety education or features. This is why we are investing heavily in safety education and additional features for first-time users like our slow ride mode.”
With safety paramount to the riding experience, since initial launch on the Blacksburg campus, Spin has integrated a host of new safety features in its app. For example, first-time riders will encounter an automatic speed reduction (10 MPH) during their initial ride. Riders will also need to complete a safety quiz on their first ride and every 30 days. Quiz topics range from responsible parking, to scooter curfews and distracted riding.
Another new safety feature is the intoxicated riding test. Riders may need to complete a series of tasks within the app to test their reaction time before checking out the scooter. Bolstered scooter safety operational enhancements like dual kickstands and hand brakes will also help ensure safe scooter riding and parking.
To mitigate the observed risky behavior, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the Alternative Transportation Department also offer the following tips for riders:
Never ride on grass or other unpaved surfaces. Use caution when travelling over ramps.
Wear a helmet when riding. Free helmets are provided at the Hokie Bike Hub inside the Perry Street Garage. Clip one to the outside of your backpack so you are ready to ride.
Be aware of your surroundings. Get to know your scooter on a quiet street or paved area at a low speed before taking a longer or faster ride.
E-scooters will be active from 7 a.m. to a half hour after sunset.
E-scooters must stay within campus limits and cannot be ridden in the Town of Blacksburg. Riders can view in the app where the available space to cruise is. If a rider attempts to use a scooter outside of campus limits, the scooter will automatically slow to a stop. The Spin app will continue charging the rider by the minute until the rider returns the scooter back to the geofenced area and closes out the ride in the app.
Both Spin e-scooters and personally owned e-scooters (and other electric personal mobility assisted devices) are not permitted inside university buildings. E-scooters and other electric personal mobility assisted devices may not be charged in university buildings or their exterior outlets.
E-scooters will be disabled and/or removed in the evenings and in advance of high-traffic events including home football games, commencement, and during inclement weather. E-scooter access on campus will be determined by the Virginia Tech Police Department chief and the vice president for enterprise administrative and business services and is subject to change.
For a limited time, Spin is offering an orientation pass for riders to connect with friends and familiarize themselves with campus. Options include a 24-hour pass for $5 or a 7-day pass for $20 on e-scooters through Aug. 30.
Regularly, e-scooters will cost $1 to unlock and 29 cents per minute. Users who finish their ride and park their scooter in a preferred parking zone (as noted in the mobile app) will receive a credit toward their next ride.
