Construction EHS Exhibit: Equipment Safety
Construction tool and equipment safety requirements
Driving and Riding Safety
Summary
How to safely use motor vehicles and micromobility devices at Harvard, including cars and devices like electric bikes, hoverboards, and scooters.
Who is this for?
- Everyone who uses micromobility devices at Harvard.
- Staff who use Harvard or personal vehicles as part of their work at Harvard.
Driving safety at Harvard
If you use Harvard or personal motor vehicles as part of your work at Harvard, you need heightened awareness when driving in urban environments.
Certain Harvard training courses include driving safety fundamentals.
Electric bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices
Follow these safety guidelines if you use micromobility devices at Harvard.
These guidelines apply to electric bikes, hoverboards, scooters, skateboards, and similar wheeled devices. They are generally not for power-driven mobility devices like mobility aids and wheelchairs.
This information supports school-specific and building-specific micromobility policies and requirements.
Before you ride a micromobility device:
- Watch the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) public safety video and review CPSC electric scooter safety tips.
- Review the Harvard Transportation micromobility guide.
- Check your device for damage, including the bell, brakes, cables, frame, handlebars, lights, throttle, and tires.
Each time you ride:
- Wear a certified helmet.
- Wear reflective or high-visibility clothing, especially at night.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, including age and weight limits. Only let one person ride at a time unless your device is designed for multiple riders.
- Do not bring your device into buildings where it is not allowed, including libraries and museums. Never ride inside buildings, dorms, or classroom hallways.
- Avoid riding in bad weather, such as heavy rain, ice, or snow.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars and do not put items on the handlebars.
- Do not do stunts. They can damage your device and put you and others at risk.
- Avoid riding over objects or uneven surfaces that could make you stop suddenly and fall. When riding over bumps, slow down and lean back.
Stay aware of your surroundings
Micromobility devices are small, fast, and quiet. Other people might not see or hear you, especially those in larger vehicles.
- Stay visible, especially in parking areas.
- Ride defensively, be cautious, and assume drivers and pedestrians cannot see you.
- Be aware of your surroundings and slow down when others are nearby and when needed. Avoid making sudden movements.
- Use a bell or horn to let others know you are there.
- Do not listen to music or use your phone while riding. This can distract you and make it hard to hear your surroundings.
If you do not properly store your device, building management may remove it.
- Follow the manufacturer's storage instructions.
- Park in a designated parking area, bike rack, or in your dorm room.
- Store your device upright. Do not block accessible pathways, building entrances or exits, driveways, emergency egress paths, or fire safety equipment.
- Store bikes and scooters outside when possible. If you must store them indoors, keep them away from doors, windows, and stairways for emergency safety.
Storing rechargeable lithium batteries and devices
To store rechargeable lithium (lithium-ion) batteries and their devices:
- Store them at room temperature when possible. Do not store them in direct sunlight, hot cars, or freezing cold.
- Keep them away from combustible materials.
All batteries at Harvard must meet Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) or similar recognized independent safety certifier standards. Examples include UL 2849 for electric bikes and UL 2272 for devices like hoverboards.
Aftermarket and generic accessories can cause dangerous lithium-ion battery fires.
- Follow Massachusetts lithium-ion battery safety guidelines.
- Never use a device with a battery pack that was modified or repaired by an unqualified person, or with repurposed or reused cells.
- Only use the battery, charger, and power adapter that comes with and is designed specifically for your device.
- Only use approved replacement battery packs.
- Do not charge publicly shared devices on Harvard property or inside Harvard-owned or operated buildings.
- Dispose of lithium batteries at your local battery recycler or hazardous waste collection center. Do not put them in the trash or general recycling.
Charging your device
To safely charge your device:
- Read and follow the manufacturer's charging instructions.
- Plug the charger directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or a power strip.
- Place your device on a hard, stable surface while charging. Do not charge it on a bed, couch, or pillow.
- Stay nearby while your device is charging. Do not charge your device while unattended or when you are sleeping.
- When your device is fully charged, disconnect the charger to prevent overcharging.
Related resources
Find documents and online tools to manage driving and riding safety.
Motor Vehicle Pre-Use Inspection Form
Form to conduct a daily motor vehicle pre-use inspection
Toolbox Talks
Informal discussion guides about occupational safety topics
EHS support
Contact EHS for more information about driving and riding safety, including:
- Defensive driving.
- Winter driving.