Georgia Tech is excited to announce the soft opening of a portion of the highly anticipated Ferst Drive Cycle Track. Effective Monday, Jan. 6, the northern arc of the cycle track will be open for the Georgia Tech community to use as a safe and convenient path when using a micromobility vehicle to travel across campus. Micromobility users — bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and electric skateboards — can now use the Ferst Drive Cycle Track from Sixth Street NW to the mid-block crossing at the Klaus Advanced Computing Building and Mac Nease Baseball Park. By opening sections, the campus community can enjoy the convenience and safety of the cycle track while construction is completed. These sections will open in phases and will be announced at a later time.  

Tips for an enjoyable and safe ride:    

• Always wear a helmet when using micromobility to travel on campus.  

• Remember, the rules of the road apply to all micromobility users.  

• Stop at all red lights, stop signs, and for pedestrians in crosswalks. 

• Always look for pedestrians when crossing an intersection. 

• Keep to the right when riding on the cycle track. 

• Slow down at floating bus stops and stop for pedestrians crossing the cycle track. 

• Slow down and stay alert for pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and street signs. This is especially important when transitioning on and off the cycle track. 

Individuals who choose to use a micromobility vehicle on campus must obey the rules of the road or will be subject to citation by the Georgia Tech Police Department. Online training may be required for those found in violation. Below are important guidelines for operating a micromobility vehicle. 

• Micromobility vehicles are considered vehicles by state law and cannot be used on sidewalks parallel to streets or on pedestrian crosswalks. If you are crossing the street with a micromobility vehicle, you should step off and walk it across the crosswalk. 

• You must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.   

• Georgia’s hands-free law also applies to micromobility vehicles. Do not use your cellphone while riding.    

• Operating micromobility vehicles under the influence can result in DUI charges.   

• Park your micromobility vehicle near a bike rack and away from the street or walkways.   

Helpful Links:  

• https://www.pts.gatech.edu/2024/10/14/how-to-safely-use-micromobility-on-campus-2/  

• https://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/cycle-tracks/two-way-cycle-tracks/ 

• https://news.gatech.edu/news/2023/01/25/campus-police-emphasize-education-enforcement-micro-mobility-vehicles  

Georgia Tech has been awarded Gold level Bicycle Friendly University status for another four years by the League of American Bicyclists. This prestigious distinction is awarded to institutions that successfully focus on promoting and establishing safe and accessible bicycling programs and amenities on campus. Institutions across the country are invited to apply for or renew their designation every four years.

Georgia Tech was first awarded Gold status in 2016 as part of an elite group and has been renewed at that (second highest) level for two cycles. “We’re happy to again be recognized as a Gold level bike friendly university, the only one in Georgia,” said Lisa Safstrom, campus transportation planner. “The Institute’s progress in providing high quality bike and micromobility infrastructure and programs to encourage and support safe riding have earned us this designation and we look forward to making continuous improvements and achieving platinum status in the next cycle, when projects that are currently under construction and our planned amenities have been implemented.”

Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) collaborates with Planning, Design, and Construction (both units within Infrastructure and Sustainability) to support biking to and on campus safely. PTS partners with Propel ATL (the Atlanta region’s bike and micromobility advocacy organization) to provide monthly in-person bike classes/rides led by certified League of American Bicyclist instructors. This started in the summer of 2022 and the program is constantly being refined to best serve the campus community. The department also offers a free online bike/scooter safety class (12-minute YouTube video); those who complete the course and a followup quiz can receive a free helmet. PTS also coordinates with the Georgia Tech Police Department, other departments throughout campus, and Institute Communications to help get the word out about riding safely.

Learn more about bicycling on campus at pts.gatech.edu/bicycling.

Usage of micromobility vehicles on campus has drastically increased since 2019, according to Capt. Marcus Walton of the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD). In 2023 alone, nearly 100 students have been seen at Stamps Health Services with injuries from scooter-related accidents.  

Rules of the Road 

In keeping with its mission to protect the campus community, GTPD is expanding its education efforts to ensure that users understand the rules of the road, primarily that operating a micromobility vehicle — defined as bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and electric skateboards — carries many of the same responsibilities as a car.  

• Micromobility vehicles are considered to be vehicles by state law and cannot be used on sidewalks or in pedestrian crosswalks. If you are crossing the street with a micromobility vehicle, you should step off and walk it across the crosswalk.  
• When operating a micromobility vehicle, you must follow the rules of the road, obeying posted signs, traffic lights, and emergency personnel.  
• You must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.  
• Georgia’s hands-free law also applies to micromobility vehicles, meaning you cannot use your cellphone while riding.  
• Operating micromobility vehicles under the influence can result in DUI charges.  
• Park your micromobility vehicle near a bike rack and away from the street or walkways.  

Posted speed limits apply to micromobility vehicles, and while most do not reach high speeds, Capt. Walton said the department has observed students adding extra voltage to scooters and e-bikes to increase speed.  

“We don’t put anything past our engineers,” he said.  

The ordinances that govern the use of these vehicles on campus are not developed by Georgia Tech but rather by the City of Atlanta, meaning violations carry the same penalty as most traffic tickets.  

“We want students to know that the exact violation you’re committing is the exact violation that a car would commit, and the fine is the same price. If you fail to stop at a stop sign in a vehicle, it would cost you about $250 a ticket. It is the same if you do it on a scooter or a bicycle,” he said. 

GTPD hopes to use education to promote safety. In addition to expanding its Communications team, GTPD is coordinating conversations with campus organizations and departments to reach students, faculty, and staff. A comprehensive campus education plan is also in the works that will promote micro-mobility safety year-round online and across campus with digital and physical signage.  

Propel ATL’s Georgia Tech Community courses offer cyclists of all skill levels the opportunity to learn the rules of the road in a safe and supportive environment. The last class of the year will be on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Register here.

Safe Practices 

Capt. Walton emphasized that all campus community members, including faculty and staff, must abide by the law and are subject to citation. Whether you’re new to micromobility or an experienced rider, keep these safety tips in mind.  

• Wear a helmet. Capt. Walton noted that in most accidents, riders were not wearing protective headgear.  
• Do not ride distracted. Do not use your phone or listen to music and make sure you can hear the environment around you.  
• Watch for Stinger buses pulling away from curbs.  
• Do not ride with two people on one scooter or bike.  
• At night, make sure your micromobility vehicle has a front light and a reflective red light on the back, and wear reflective clothing.  
• Register your scooter with GTPD so that owners can be contacted if a scooter is blocking access or is stolen and recovered. 

Drivers have the responsibility of sharing the road with micromobility users. Only pass a micromobility user if there is at least 3 feet of clearance. Drivers should regularly check mirrors and blind spots to avoid potential accidents.  

To limit speeding and aggressive driving, GTPD purchased 14 radar speed detection signs earlier this year, and the data collected could eventually lead to reduced speed limits on campus as the Institute’s infrastructure becomes increasingly micromobility-friendly. 

Parking and Transportation Services similarly encourages the safe use of micromobility vehicles on campus, offering a free safety class for members of the Tech community. After completing the course, participants receive a free helmet. Helmets can also be purchased from the department for $12.

For additional information regarding micromobility safety on campus, visit GTPD’s website.  

Sidebar Content

Biketober has arrived, and throughout the month, the GT community can log their bike rides in the Biketober Challenge and be eligible to win prizes including an ebike! Join the fun and friendly competition between departments, schools, and employers. Learn more.