Purdue police to begin e-scooter and bike rules enforcement blitz

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — E-scooters and bicycles are welcome at Purdue University, but riders are urged to follow the rules of the road – or else face a fine for improper use. The Purdue University Police Department will begin an enforcement blitz beginning Monday (Oct. 29) and continuing for two weeks.

During this two-week period, extra patrol officers will be added, and $50 tickets will be issued for moving violations. Officers will focus their attention on scooter and bicycle riders who are not following the rules of the road.

The enforcement effort will focus on the areas along Martin Jischke Drive and University and Russell streets between Stadium Avenue and State Street. It is in response to complaints of riders not obeying traffic rules by ignoring stop signs and automatic signals, and riding on sidewalks. Purdue police say they have received an increasing number of complaints from drivers and pedestrians since the start of the academic year.

“The areas around campus are very congested, and we’re just asking people to be smart and be safe,” Purdue police chief John Cox said. “The main thing is if scooter riders, skateboarders and bike riders obey the traffic laws, it will keep themselves and everyone safer.”

Officers on foot and on bicycle will be on the lookout for rule breakers. In addition to issuing a fine, officers will attempt to have an informative conversation with the rider about how these modes of alternative transportation should be used while on campus.

Riders of scooters and bicycles should operate as if they were driving a car and follow basic traffic regulations. For more information, university policy for e-scooter use can be found here. 

Writer: Tim Doty, 765-494-2080, doty2@purdue.edu   

Source: John Cox, 765-494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu