Specific actions/policy recommendation:

Per CAM FO-35, students are not allowed to bring their e-bikes and e-scooters inside campus buildings to store or charge, and the university does not provide any outdoor charging facilities for personal micromobility devices.

 The Transportation iCAP Team recommends that the university install outlets or charging stations to be used for electric bike and scooter charging near bike racks outside of residence halls on UIUC campus, with plans to expand outdoor e-bike and e-scooter charging infrastructure on campus at high traffic locations.

We also recommend that the university only allow batteries certified by UL or similar accreditation bodies to operate on campus.

Suggested unit/department to address implementation:

F&S and Housing

Rationale for recommendation:
 Over the past several years, we have seen a huge increase in the number of e-bike and e-scooter usage on campus. Current university policy has not changed, despite this trendline, and does not offer any outdoor charging opportunities for these micromobility devices. Students are also not allowed to carry, charge, storage, or other possession of e-bikes and e-skateboards inside University Facilities, as per the CAM FO-35. For students living on campus, (e.g. Residence Halls) this policy effectively prohibits charging e-bikes and e-scooters.  This limits the ability to promote sustainable transportation on campus, and this makes it essential to provide outdoor charging facilities to continue serving our students.

Battery charging for e-bikes and e-scooters is prohibited because of the fire safety risk that they pose. However, the recent UL-certification available for batteries ensures the batteries are safe and do not pose this risk. Next year, January 2026, Illinois State Law SB2247 is going into effect requiring that all batteries for micromobility devices sold in Illinois must be UL or other accredited standards approved. While some students will still have older electric scooters and bikes that do not have a certified battery, they will slowly phase out. Additionally, providing outdoor charging facilities and asking students that do not have UL-certified batteries to leave their devices outside campus buildings ensures they still have a space to charge.

Connection to iCAP goals:
 This recommendation will help promote sustainable transportation on campus and make progress towards the 2025 Campus Bike Plan. 

Perceived challenges:

• Approval for outdoor charging stations.
• Appropriate locations for outdoor charging stations.
• Funding to install outdoor chargers on campus in proximity to existing bike racks
• Developing a standard design for the charging stations
• Behavior change – how to inform and incentivize students to buy quality bicycles and scooters that use UL or similar certification of batteries

Anticipated timeline of implementation:
Spring 2026

Anticipated budget (identify if cost is up-front or continuous):

There will be an up-front cost associated with installation of outlets at residence hall bike racks and a continuous cost associated with the resulting electricity usage.