New speed limits at the U for scooters, bikes and skateboards
Oct 31, 2023, 10:30 AM | Updated: 2:42 pm
FILE: University of Utah students walk on campus in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah has new speed limits for scooters, bikes and skateboards on campus.
In an announcement made last week, the school’s Department of Public Safety said everyone on wheels needs to be going under 10 mph.
The school cited a “violent crash” in August between a cyclist and skateboarder that sent both people to the hospital. Neither were wearing helmets and the crash was well over 10 mph, U of U Police Operations Capt. Brian Lohrke told Dave and Dujanovic.
Although the idea for a speed limit was already floating around, Lohrke said that crash, “Got some more conversation going amongst university officials.”
The 10 mph limit might seem slow, but Lohkre said it’s necessary, especially because the campus sits on a hill.
“So if you’re coming from the top of campus down, you can gather some pretty good speed. But you need to be able to stop, maneuver and watch out for pedestrians.”
Pedestrians have the right of way, Lohkre added.
The school has placed new yellow signs around campus promoting the new speed limit.
The school recommended that students zipping around campus find an app that’ll help gauge how fast they’re going.
Citations for going over the limit are possible, but the school wants that to be a last resort. Right now, the U wants to focus on spreading the word about the speed limit, Lohrke said.
