Safe Routes to School -Micromobility Resources
Draft School district policy based on Villanova University policy
Villanova University policy
Parent and Student Educational Flyers
Current 2026 PA State Law on Micromobility
EVIDENCE TABLE : REAL TIME FACTS ON E-SCOOTERS
Universities across Pennsylvania have already determined that e‑scooters are unsafe for adults. They ban them, educate students, and enforce strict rules because of injuries. If adults require education, enforcement, and campus‑wide bans due to injuries, then children in K–12 schools require even stronger protections — and SRTS provides the framework for schools to implement them.
| Claim | Evidence | Sources |
| Small wheels cannot handle cracks/bumps | Small wheels fall into cracks; higher impact angle; greater vertical displacement | Go Grava³; Levy Electric⁴; Transilvania University & Oradea¹ |
| High center of gravity increases tipping | Forward‑pitching moment increases when wheel drops | University multibody model¹; Go Grava³ |
| No suspension increases crash risk | Less air volume = less shock absorption; impacts cause tube pinches | Go Grava³; Levy Electric⁴ |
| Hazards persist at low speeds | Instability is caused by wheel geometry, not speed | University multibody dynamics¹; Go Grava³ |
| Small wheels are structurally vulnerable | High rim stress, crack initiation, accelerated fatigue | Materials (Basel) engineering study² |
| No U.S. safety standards | No federal mechanical, structural, or stability standards | CPSC⁵ |
| Universities ban scooters due to injuries | Villanova full ban; Penn State enforcement action | Villanova Policy⁷; Penn State Police Notice⁸ |
| SRTS requires school‑led safety | SRTS mandates education, engineering, enforcement, evaluation | FHWA⁶ |
Micromobility safety is not optional. It is a shared responsibility, and schools are the only entity with the authority and proximity to manage it in real time.
Footnotes
1. Radu, A. I., Tolea, A. B., Trușcă, D. D., Ispas, N., & Năstăsoiu, M. (2023). Development of a multibody model used to study the impact between a vehicle wheel and a pothole. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com
2. Montassir, S., Moustabchir, H., El Khalfi, A., Vlase, S., & Scutaru, M. L. (2024). Numerical study of crack prediction and growth in automotive wheel rims. Materials (Basel). Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com
3. Go Grava Adventure Corporation. (2024). Why e‑scooter tires and tubes fail faster than bike tires. Retrieved from https://gograva.com/blogs/guides/why-e-scooter-tires-fail-faster
4. Levy Electric. (2024). Troubleshooting electric scooter wheel problems: A step‑by‑step guide. Retrieved from https://www.levyelectric.com/resources/troubleshooting-electric-scooter-wheel-problems-a-step-by-step-guide
5. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2023). Micromobility safety reports and public filings. Retrieved from https://www.cpsc.gov
6. Federal Highway Administration. (2023). Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program Guidance. Retrieved from https://www.fhwa.dot.gov
7. Villanova University. (2024). Campus Micromobility Ban — Public Safety Policy. Retrieved from https://www1.villanova.edu
8. Penn State University Police. (2024). Micromobility Enforcement Action and Student Conduct Referral Notice. Retrieved from https://police.psu.edu
Safe Routes to School Resources
PA WalkWorks Program: Samantha Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager — www.pawalkworks.com
Safe Routes Partnership: Kori Johnson, Program & Engagement Manager — www.saferoutespartnership.org
PA WalkWorks Program: Samantha Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager — www.pawalkworks.com