Minneapolis recently updated its scooter rules to make sidewalks safer — and is raising awareness for new guidelines.   

The guidelines, updated Sept. 24, require riders to keep a 4-foot “clear zone” for pedestrians.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety deputy director Craig Flynn said the biggest issue with scooters is mixing with pedestrians.

“People tend to want to ride them on the sidewalks, but they should not be ridden on the sidewalk,” Flynn said.

Around Minneapolis, riders often crowd sidewalks and park in walking paths.

Flynn said riders should follow the same rules as cyclists when on the road. 

“They should ride with the flow of traffic and stop at stop signs when it’s necessary,” Flynn said. “The second biggest danger is getting hit by vehicles.”

University of Minnesota sophomore Peter Wang was heading to Westgate on his scooter just before 8 a.m., when his morning commute took a painful turn.

“I was halfway when a car cut in front of me,” Wang said. “The driver turned right into a parking lot and stopped right in front of me.”

Wang said he was going about 20 miles per hour on his electric scooter, above the 15 mph city limit. 

“When I slammed the brakes to avoid hitting the car, the scooter stopped, but my body didn’t,” Wang said. 

Wang said the driver immediately rolled down her window and apologized, saying she did not see him. 

“Cars don’t see us,” Wang said. “ It’s hard for them to notice scooters, especially when we’re moving fast.”

Wang said the impact caused a severe bruise in his groin area, leaving him in immediate pain.

“It was honestly one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had,” Wang said. “I couldn’t move for a minute.”

Wang was taken to the ER, where doctors diagnosed him with a severe bruise and swelling. 

“It hurt a lot, but thankfully nothing was broken,” Wang said.

He admitted he was not wearing a helmet at the time and said many students ignore safety rules. 

“Honestly, most people ride on the sidewalk, go too fast, or even double up on one scooter,” Wang said. “Nobody really follows the rules.”

He said better enforcement could prevent accidents, and believes awareness is just as important. 

“I think riders need to be more careful, especially around cars,” Wang said. “Helmets help, but most injuries happen because people go too fast or aren’t paying attention.”

City law prohibits riding scooters on sidewalks, carrying passengers, or riding without a helmet if under the age of 18.

Flynn said visibility is key for safety. He added that riding at night should be avoided due to already low visibility for drivers and pedestrians.

“Cars don’t always see scooters, they’re small,” Flynn said. “A best practice would be to wear high visibility clothing.”

 Jean Kummerow and Frank Mabley, University of Minnesota alumni, said they have both grown more cautious when biking around the Twin Cities. Both added that scooters are a big reason why.

“We usually stick to bike trails that don’t share lanes with cars or scooters,” Kummerow said. “The scooters, they go really fast. We’ve seen accidents with them.”

Kummerow said she recalled one particularly serious crash she witnessed on Nicollet Island earlier this year.

“A man on a scooter hit a branch, lost his balance, and went down hard,” Kummerow said. “He broke his collarbone. We called an ambulance right away and made sure he didn’t move until help came.”

Mabley said the rider was not wearing a helmet at the time, something he rarely sees. 

“I almost never see people wearing helmets with scooters,” Mabley said. “People just don’t follow it.”

Mabley and Kummerow both said part of the problem is that scooter riders often move unpredictably between the street and the sidewalk. 

“They don’t seem to know what they are,” Mabley said. “Are they a vehicle, or are they a pedestrian? They shift back and forth, and that makes it dangerous for everyone.”

As scooters grow more popular among college students, Flynn said safety awareness needs to keep up. He added the city is facing challenges with other vehicles as well.

“We’re starting to run into the same challenges with e-bikes, especially because they move faster than pedal bikes,” Flynn said.