UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) recently released a study that reveals university safety concerns, policies, and challenges related to e-bikes on college campuses.

ULSE collaborated with The League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program on the study, which showed that, although e-bikes are common fixtures on many bike-friendly campuses, there are significant gaps in infrastructure and policy development and enforcement.

Safety concerns related to e-mobility devices are widespread as well, including unauthorized and unsafe charging practices. Although more students are riding e-bikes on campus, the findings show that only 41% of BFU campuses have implemented formal e-bike policies.

To that end, the ULSE study includes a list of recommendations to mitigate the risks posed by e-mobility devices, including:

• Development or expansion of safe, convenient, and extensive charging infrastructure networks
• Creation of comprehensive safety training programs for e-bike users
• Implementation of clear, enforceable policies that address the full spectrum of e-bike usage on campus
• Establishment of consistent enforcement mechanisms with appropriate resources and personnel
• Regular policy evaluation and updating to reflect evolving needs and technologies

Access the full report via ULSE’s news announcement.