There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a scooter whizzing past you on your trek to class, that tell-tale navy blue backpack taunting you for your NARP (non-athletic, regular person) status. It’s a feeling that many are familiar with, but, as of this summer, will never again have to experience.
An email sent to the Villanova community on July 14 addressed transportation devices on campus.
“Several Villanovans have suffered serious injuries from on-campus e-scooter accidents; in addition, the storage and recharging of lithium batteries has resulted in numerous, often difficult-to-extinguish fires around the U.S.,” the University Registrar said.
Due to these important issues, the University decided to ban electric scooters and similar devices entirely. The policy explicitly states that it includes electric scooters, skateboards and hoverboards but does not extend to motor-assisted bicycles.
Nearly being run over by a seemingly rogue scooter was essentially a rite of passage for Villanova students, and it had become an expectation when walking across campus. While it certainly motivated students to look up from their phones to be sure they weren’t about to be flattened into the sidewalk, near-misses were unavoidable.
While some students did not directly see negative effects of scooters on campus and felt a complete ban was overkill, others understood the Department of Public Safety’s decision once they learned the rationale behind the new policy.
“The scooter ban was necessary for safety reasons and can easily be replaced by a safer substitute,” sophomore McKenzie Maggiano said.
You may ask, what could that safer substitute be? We certainly cannot ask our precious athletes to transport themselves via their own two feet. While walking does seem to be the clear solution, students upset about being stripped of their scooter rights do not need to fret. The policy says nothing about razor scooters, even though they are arguably more dangerous considering the harm they can cause to ankles.
However, athletes affected by the ban are not quite as indifferent. Joshua Oluremi, a sophomore on the football player, disagreed with the new policy.
“We are young adults who should be allowed to handle the responsibilities and the safety concerns of having an electric scooter,” Oluremi said.
He stated that the devices made navigating a challenging schedule packed with tough workouts much easier.
While there are valid arguments to be made on both sides, Villanova was right to err on the side of caution and prioritize safety over convenience.
Students should also be aware of the lesser-known reason for the ban: lithium batteries. These batteries are used in various products, including cell phones, remote controls and electric toothbrushes. However, an electric scooter’s battery is about 50 times larger than that of a phone, making them much more dangerous.
One of the ways people misuse the devices is by leaving them to charge overnight. This can lead to the battery rapidly overheating, and in some cases, exploding. People also often buy the scooters online, with little knowledge of the integrity and quality control of the manufacturer. Improper charging usage combined with possible manufacturing defects create a recipe for disaster.
An article published in August of 2023 by CNN stated, “The New York City Fire Department responded to more than 200 e-scooter and e-bike fires, which resulted in six fatalities.”
While lithium batteries are generally safe, the more prevalent they are, the more accidents there will be. Since most would agree that they are not integral to Villanova, removing them from campus was a wise decision.
With scooters banned, the Villanova campus is adjusting to a different rhythm. Non-athletic students no longer have to fear the speed demons on two wheels, and athletes have to adjust their schedules now that their commute to West Campus isn’t an enviable three minutes.
While the era of the Villanova scooter may have come to an end, this decision will lead to a safer, more serene campus environment for everyone.
In the meantime, students may want to invest in some comfortable walking shoes or perhaps take a little trip back to the olden days and try out a (non-electric) bicycle or scooter. Regardless, the end of scooters marks the beginning of a less speedy, but safer chapter at Villanova.
