E-vehicles are convenient and clean modes of getting around, but drivers and pedestrians in bike lanes must keep aware of one another to avoid potentially serious accidents.

Campus Life

Biking? Scootering? Stay Safe on the Street with These Tips

With so many electric scooters, bikes, and skateboards, it’s crucial to remain vigilant navigating around campus

Navigating Boston’s streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks requires attentiveness and coordination. And the surge in battery-powered “micromobility devices” around Boston, including e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards, has added a new element to the mix. Capable of going surprisingly fast with little effort, they are both popular and potentially dangerous unless operated carefully. “The faster you go, the faster you can get into trouble in traffic” says Carl Larson, BU assistant director of Transportation Demand Management.

Larson offers these safety tips for everyone. For more information, check the University’s Roll Safe site. 

Follow the rules. 

“Signs and red lights aren’t just for cars,” Larson says. And keep in mind that most bike lanes are one-way. So make sure you’re going with the flow, not against it. As for pedestrians, even though the bike lanes are one-way, don’t look just in the direction you assume vehicles will be coming from. It may be a cliché—but look both ways.

Be visible. 

It’s the law that vehicles (bikes and scooters included) must have front and rear lights on at night. Larson says front lights are especially helpful at preventing accidents in cities. Students can get a free set of lights at the BU Cycle Kitchen or on the Medical Campus, at Transportation Services. Pro tip: the “BUCK” stickers they give out at the BU Cycle Kitchen aren’t just stylish. They’re super-reflective.

Helmets, helmets, helmets.

You can get one for free at the BU Cycle Kitchen or BUMC Transportation Services. Or get your own—and don’t leave home without it. The American College of Surgeons says that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 48 percent, traumatic brain injury by 53 percent, facial injury by 23 percent, and fatal injury by 34 percent.

Be predictable. 

“Ride in a straight, consistent line and signal your turns,” Larson says. Drivers cannot read your mind, so make no sudden turns.

Avoid the “right hook.” 

When turning to the right, drivers must first yield to any vehicles in the bike lane to avoid cutting them off. But sometimes they don’t. “So watch out,” Larson advises. In other words, don’t assume a vehicle will stop for you just because they’re supposed to. Make sure they’ve stopped. 

Don’t get “doored.” 

If you ride close to parked cars, you probably won’t have enough time to swerve to avoid a car door if it suddenly swings open, so Larson advises “don’t ride in the ‘door zone.’ Ride far enough from parked cars to ensure that doors can open without threatening your safety.”

Be especially careful around big vehicles. 

Large vehicles like trucks and buses can have dangerous blind spots and the drivers sit much higher than in cars. “If you can’t see the driver,” Larson says, “they can’t see you.” Large vehicles are also much heavier, making it more difficult for them to stop.

Slow your roll. 

Traffic congestion, low visibility, and rain and ice are all good reasons to adjust your speed. Just as it’s not safe to drive a car full-speed through congested city streets, e-devices shouldn’t be ridden full-speed in busy bike lanes or on sidewalks. Even folks on regular bikes should watch their speed, particularly when riding downhill. Pedestrians crossing the street and drivers pulling onto side streets don’t expect people in bike lanes to be going much faster than other traffic.

In pedestrian spaces, behave like a guest.

Generally speaking, bikes, scooters, and skateboards should avoid riding on sidewalks, but there are times when riding in pedestrian-oriented spaces like sidewalks, pathways, and multi-use paths is unavoidable. State law says, “A person operating a bicycle on the sidewalk shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.” Slow down, pass with care, and if it’s crowded, you might need to get off and walk.

Be aware of the MBTA.

Green Line trolleys on Comm Ave cannot be stopped quickly or be easily navigated. Be sure to look both ways on the tracks when crossing.

Be prepared. 

Make sure your bike or scooter is in good working order, charged properly, and registered with the University. For vehicle users and pedestrians, when crossing a bike lane or using a bike lane, put away those distractions, like phones and earbuds. You need your eyes—and your ears—to get around safely.