In December 2019, UCF Student Government announced its exclusive partnership with Spin, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, to bring e-scooters and charging stations to campus in January 2020. The service is being overseen by UCF Parking and Transportation Services.

UCF and Spin collaboratively designed a custom e-scooter share program committed to ensuring students, faculty, staff and visitors are operating vehicles safely and responsibly. Students also demoed the product to evaluate features and test geofencing options, such as no ride and no parking zones.

Be respectful of others and avoid parking Spin e-scooters in spaces that block sidewalks, access ramps, doorways and bus stop.

“Our partnership with UCF was focused on co-designing a safe e-scooter program tailored to campus needs,” says John Lankford, University Partnerships at Spin.

To use the e-scooters, which will operate from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.,  Android and Apple devices users can download the Spin app to unlock the devices and pay for their rides. As of  January 2020, Spin installed 12 charging stations, called Spin Hubs, and incentivize riders to park at these stations. Spin Hubs address scooter clutter, making sure vehicles are parked orderly on campus.

To promote your own and campus safety, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when riding Spin scooters.

Do:

  • Only ride if you’re at least 18 years old.
  • Only ride if you’re sober.
  • Wear a helmet when riding.
  • Start slow, especially if it is your first time riding.
  • Stay alert and look ahead, instead of looking down at the wheels or at your phone.
  • Relax your body as you ride to help you absorb bumps in the road and react with more control if the unexpected happens.
  • Ride in bike lanes and the street when possible, as riders are most visible to drivers in these areas.
  • Obey local traffic laws, such as stop at all red lights and stop signs, ride with the flow of traffic, and yield to pedestrians.
  • Stay clear of large and turning vehicles to avoid potential accidents.

Don’ts:

  • Ride with anyone else. Each Spin e-scooter is intended to carry one person per ride.
  • Ride over grass, gravel, or sidewalk edges that can cause you to lose control of the scooter or fall.
  •  Be a “walk blocker” or be inconsiderate of others who may have difficulties with vision or mobility when parking your e-scooter. Don’t block sidewalks, access ramps, doorways and bus stops when parking your e-scooter.

“UCF is a place where innovative micromobility services have become an integral component of the student and campus experience,” says James Evans, SG Safety and Transportation coordinator. “It is imperative that Knight Nation works together to separate “wheels from heels” by parking scooters and skateboards in designated locations and leaving walkways free so that everyone can enjoy traversing our amazing campus.”

Spin and UCF are taking further action to facilitate safe operations by restricting e-scooters from exiting the main campus’ perimeter, creating speed-regulated zones in pedestrian heavy areas, and initiating a curfew to minimize risk of using while impaired.

“Our entire executive cabinet work[ed] diligently … to bring this new and exciting service to UCF,” says Kevin Olsen, UCF SG’s former director of Community Affairs for the 2019-20 academic year. ”This has been one of the most popular platform points and we are proud to be partnered with a company that we know will cater to UCF students’ needs.”