Transportation & Parking Services

Person riding an electric scooter on PSU campus

Electric Scooters

Spin Scooter Access

Spin is partnering with the Portland State University Transportation and Parking Services to offer Spin Access verification. Spin Access riders in Portland will receive five 30-minute rides per day, for free.

Portland Metro Area residents can qualify for Spin Access if they are at least 18 years of age and enrolled in a local, state, or federal benefits program. Examples eligibility documents include:

• Oregon Trail SNAP/EBT card
• TriMet Honored Citizen Hop card
• Oregon Health Plan/Medicaid

Campus Rules and Guidelines

These recommendations were developed in coordination with PTS, UTPD, Office of Campus Safety, University Health Services, Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, Legal Affairs, Financial and Administrative Services, and campus governance groups.

Electric scooters are available for usage by campus visitors, students, staff, and faculty. Those who utilize electric scooters must operate them according to campus rules and regulations.

  • Scooters may only be operated in areas where bicycle traffic is allowed.
  • Scooters should be operated at a low speed in the presence of pedestrians and pedestrians always have the right of way.
  • Scooters must be operated safely and may be subject to citations if operated in the manner determined to be reckless.
  • Scooters should be parked at bike racks or in designated scooter parking spaces/areas only.
  • There is a $150 impound fee for scooters parked in the following ways:
    • Violation of scooter parking regulations related to a university event
    • Parking in a manner that obstructs ADA access or parking
    • Parking in doorways
    • Blocking ramps and stairways
    • Parking improperly on Speedway Mall
    • Parking improperly on the Main Mall
  • A $75 fee is applied to all other scooter impounds.
  • There is no charging for commercial scooters on campus.
  • Scooter access is limited on home football game days and may be limited during other large-scale events.
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Scooter Safety

  • Scooters can provide an important tool especially in bridging the last mile of commutes to campus. For the university community to profit from this benefit requires all scooters' safe operation and parking on campus.
  • Scooters should be operated at a low speed on campus at all times. The campus has very heavy pedestrian traffic, so it is imperative to operate slowly and always yield the right of way to pedestrians.
  • Scooters are responsible for following all the rules of the road. This includes, but is not limited to, stopping at stop signs and stoplights, yielding, and following the speed limit.
  • If you are unfamiliar with scooter operations, take time to look at operation and safety information provided by the scooter company that you use.   
  • Scooters can start very quickly for those unfamiliar, so start slowly to keep the scooter from running out from under you.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings.
  • Scooters are meant for single riders only.
  • Don’t wear earbuds when operating a scooter.
  • Keep both hands on the scooter handlebar at all times.
  • PTS HIGHLY RECOMMENDS that you wear a helmet at all times when operating a scooter. Consider other protective gear as well such as wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads. You can order a lot of safety gear through free Apps, available from many scooter companies for active riders. Typically, users only pay for shipping.
  • Don’t operate a scooter while impaired.
  • Use caution in pathways that cross.
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Parallel Parking

Scooters should be parked within the two endpoints of the scooter area. They should park in the direction with the front wheel in line with one white line and the back wheel in line with the other.

Electric scooter parking example on how scooters need to be parked.

Head-In Parking

The small white lines are to be used as guides. Place the front scooter wheel between a pair of lines.

Example on how to park electric scooters on campus