Personal Transportation Vehicles and Devices (PTVs)

I. Scope

This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors.  This policy governs the use of Personal Transportation Vehicles and Devices on property owned or leased by George Mason University on all campuses and locations. Personal Transportation Vehicles and Devices (PTVs) include, but are not limited to:

  • Scooters – self-propelled and electric, shared and personally owned
  • Bicycles – self-propelled and electric, shared or personally owned
  • Skateboards – self-propelled and electric
  • Skates – in-line, rollerblades, rollerskates
  • Segways

II. Policy Statement

A. Fairfax Campus: Only Shared Mobility Device (SMD) vendors approved by the City of Fairfax shall be allowed to apply to operate on Mason’s Fairfax Campus. Mason approved vendors must adhere to any additional requirements as set forth by Mason. For vendors, authority to operate on University property does not change the cap on the number of devices permitted by the City of Fairfax. Details on the City’s pilot program are available at https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/public-works/transportation-division/dockless-mobility

Personal Transportation Vehicles and Devices, including privately owned PTVs and authorized SMDs, are allowed on the Fairfax campus but may only be operated on campus roadways outside the Campus Core, in bike lanes, and on the Campus Drive shared use path. PTV use on roads within the Campus Core is restricted to those roads determined by Parking and Transportation to be free of construction or other safety issues and is subject to change.  Use of PTVs on the section of Mattaponi River Lane between Patriot Circle and the Johnson Center loading dock is prohibited. All other uses are prohibited.

B. Mason Square (Arlington) Campus: PTVs may only be operated in the bike rack area of Van Metre Hall Plaza. Bicycles may be parked at any Mason Square (Arlington) Campus bike rack location. All other uses are prohibited.

C. SciTech Campus and other Mason locations (e.g. Loudoun, Point of View, Belmont Bay, etc.): privately owned PTVs and authorized SMDs vendors are allowed on campus but may only be operated on roadways. All other uses are prohibited.

D. PTVs may not be used in any building. Electrically propelled PTVs cannot be inside buildings or structures. Electric Personal Transportation Vehicles/Devices may not be stored in or charged in residence halls, offices, dining facilities or any other indoor University source of electricity. No outdoor University outlet may be utilized if it is under an overhang of a building or structure. Specifically designated and signed outdoor outlets may be used at vehicle owners’ risk after registering the vehicle with Parking and Transportation.

E. University employees operate PTVs at their own risk and are not covered by the Commonwealth’s Risk Management Plan. Employees will not be reimbursed for any SMD use.

F. Students, employees, and visitors that have a documented medical condition or an approved accommodation for a disability that requires a power-driven mobility device may use such devices in accordance with the manufacturers’ storage and charging specifications. For more information about the use of power-driven mobility devices please visit https://www.ada.gov/opdmd.pdf.

It is incumbent upon PTV users (“operators”) to recognize that the personal safety of all members of the Mason community is paramount.  Those who choose to use PTVs do so at their own risk.

III. Definitions

A. Bicycle: means a vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is equipped with pedals that allow propulsion by human power or electric assist.

B. Bike Lane: means that portion of a roadway designated by signs and/or pavement markings for the preferential use of bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds and other PTVs.

C. Campus Core: means that section of the Fairfax Campus within Patriot Circle.

D. Moped: means a vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground that (i) has a seat that is no less than 24 inches in height, measured from the middle of the seat perpendicular to the ground; (ii) has a gasoline, electric, or hybrid motor that (a) displaces 50 cubic centimeters or less or (b) has an input of 1500 watts or less; (iii) is power-driven, with or without pedals that allow propulsion by human power; and (iv) is not operated at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. For purposes of this policy, a moped shall be a motorcycle when operated at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. For the purposes of this policy, gas-powered mopeds are considered to be in the same class as motorcycles and may not use bike racks.  They must purchase a motorcycle parking pass and use motorcycle parking spaces.

E. Personal Transportation Vehicle/Device: means any wheeled vehicle, self-propelled or electric, to include, but not limited to: bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skates, scooters, Segways®, and skateboards.

F. Scooter: means an electric or self-propelled vehicle with no more than three wheels, equipped with a handle bar fixed to the front wheel and a footboard. Can be propelled by electric motor or self-propelled by the operator.

G. Shared Mobility Device – means, collectively, Bicycles and Scooters available for rent by third party vendors

H. Skates: means in-line, rollerblades, or roller skates

I. Segway® : means a two-wheeled motorized personal vehicle consisting of a platform for the feet mounted above an axle and an upright post surmounted by handles, controlled by the way the rider distributes their weight.

J. Shared Use Path: means a bikeway that is physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and is located either within the highway right-of-way or within a separate right-of-way.

K. Skateboard: means an electric or self-propelled board with wheels that is ridden in a standing or crouching position.

IV. Dates:

A. Effective Date:

This policy will become effective upon the date of approval by the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Provost and Executive Vice President.

B. Date of Most Recent Review:

 N/A.

 V. Timetable for Review

This policy, and any related procedures, shall be reviewed annually.

VI. Signatures

Approved:

______/S________

Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance

______/S________

Provost and Executive Vice President

Date Approved: 11/13/2019

Updated: 02/06/2023