Carnegie Mellon University

Personal Wheeled Vehicle Transportation

POLICY TITLE: Carnegie Mellon Personal Wheeled Vehicle Transportation Policy
POLICY OWNER AND RESPONSIBLE OFFICE: The Division of Facilities, Infrastructure and Risk Management. Questions on Policy content should be directed to Transportation Services, 412-268-2052.
PERTINENT DATES: This Policy appears in the current issue of the Student Handbook. The most recent revision was approved by the President on May 31, 2022.

ENTITIES AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY:

All units of the university

WHO NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS POLICY:

All students, faculty and staff

RELATED INFORMATION:

Campus Bike Rack Locations

REASON FOR POLICY/PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe and convenient environment for the use of all personal wheeled vehicles while at the same time providing for the safety of all members of the campus community. This policy is intended to broadly cover the entire class of personal wheeled vehicles regardless of power source (electric, manual, etc.).

These regulations do not apply to transportation for persons with disabilities (e.g., wheelchairs), nor to “official”, non-licensed vehicles on campus (e.g., vehicles used for facilities, dining, university police, events, etc.), nor to vehicles which require a Pennsylvania driver’s license to operate.

ABSTRACT:

Contains university regulations regarding the use of personal wheeled vehicles used for transportation on the Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh campus.

Definitions

Personal Wheeled Vehicles: Refers to vehicles used for personal transportation, human-powered or powered by an electric or other non-internal combustion motor. Bicycles are the prime example. Personal wheeled vehicles also include skateboards, in-line skates, scooters, electric bicycles, Segways, and other vehicles. For the purposes of this Policy, this definition does not include any vehicles which require a Pennsylvania driver’s license to operate, such as gasoline-powered scooters and two-wheeled, seated vehicles which fall outside the PennDOT definition of a “pedalcycle”. (See Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75, § 102. at Definitions.)

Operation

  • In any circumstances, anyone using a wheeled vehicle of any type must yield the right of way to pedestrians.
    • Walk or carry your vehicle when campus traffic is congested.
    • Pass with caution on the left and alert the people around you before doing so.
  • Operators are required to operate at speeds that are prudent and reasonable under existing conditions. Speed limit of five (5) miles per hour shall be observed while on shared paths with pedestrian traffic.
  • No person is allowed to operate any wheeled vehicle:
    • Inside any building;
    • On any pedestrian building access ramp;
    • On, across or through landscaped or grass areas.
  • The university strongly encourages bicycle and other wheeled vehicle operators to wear a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approved helmet or equivalent protective device.
  • Operators traveling in a manner that is deemed unsafe by a University Police Officer may be issued the appropriate citation.
  • Any type of wheeled vehicle that requires a driver’s license is prohibited from operation on shared-use paths on campus. These vehicles are only authorized for use on public streets and are subject to the regulations of the City of Pittsburgh and of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.

Registration

The university Transportation department offers bicycle and other wheeled vehicle registration through the vehicle permit portal. There is no fee for registering. Registering can greatly help in retrieving a bicycle or other vehicle in case of theft. It also allows the university to contact the owner for retrieval if the vehicle is parked improperly or abandoned.

Parking

A personal wheeled vehicle is parked/stored on campus at the risk of its owner. For operators' convenience, bicycle racks are provided at various campus locations. These racks are appropriate for bicycles and other two-wheeled vehicles. A list of campus bicycle rack locations can be found at the Transportation Services website and at the Environment at CMU website.

In order to maintain campus accessibility for all users, no wheeled vehicle shall be parked, stored, or left standing in such a manner as to:

  • Block entrance to or exit from any building or structure on campus;
  • Block outdoor walkways or stairs;
  • Impede the movement of persons with disabilities;
  • Inhibit the full use of campus infrastructure, such as benches, handrails, ramps, railings, and other such furniture;
  • Damage or potentially damage trees, artworks or landscaping;
  • Impact any other location in a way that violates federal, state or local fire and safety regulations.

Personal wheeled vehicles left in such areas will be removed immediately and impounded.

Finally, the use of any indoor area for wheeled vehicle parking is restricted when, in the best judgment of the person(s) responsible for that area, storage therein interferes with the routine activities normally conducted in that area. When accessing an indoor parking area (i.e. designated indoor parking rooms, personal offices, etc.), vehicle owners should use the most direct path to avoid impedance of indoor pedestrian traffic.

Removal and Impoundment of Personal Wheeled Vehicles

Any University Police Officer, Parking & Transportation officer, or official authorized by the university may remove and impound any wheeled vehicle which:

  • Is parked in violation of any of the sections of this policy;
  • Appears to have been abandoned as evidenced by signs of disuse or neglect.

Bicycles or other wheeled vehicles impounded may be recovered only upon proof of ownership and after required fees are paid. Owners are responsible for all costs involved in removal and storage of impounded items.

Unclaimed wheeled vehicles shall be held for a minimum of six months by Transportation Services, at which time the owner shall be presumed to have relinquished legal title. Such bicycles shall be disposed of through proper legal procedure.

University Police, Facilities Management & Campus Services, Transportation Services, or other university departments are not responsible for any alleged damage or loss of accessories or equipment of an impounded vehicle.