Two-Wheeled Vehicle Policies

Motorcycles are required to display state license plates to park in designated motorcycle parking areas on Duke's campus.

Motorcycle Parking

• Motorcycles MUST be parked in designated motorcycle areas, identified on the Duke Campus Map.

As of July 1, 2015, mopeds are required by NC state law to register with the DMV.

Moped Parking

• Mopeds on Duke's campus must be parked in designated moped parking areas, identified on the Duke Campus Map. If moped spots are full, operators may park at or near an open-air bike rack unless the area is signed otherwise. Note that some areas restrict parking to bicycles only due to air intake, noise, aesthetics, or other reasons; this includes bike parking areas in and around Abele Quad and in covered walkways in residential areas. Mopeds parking in these restricted areas will be subject to ticketing and/or towing. When parking near an unrestricted bike rack, mopeds/scooters should not block access to the bike rack or pedestrian egress.

Operation of a Moped

• Mopeds should not be operated on sidewalks or parked in any manner to block or impede pedestrian egress, emergency exits, or handicap access feature to any campus building. Mopeds are not allowed in Duke Gardens, the West Campus Plaza or the main campus quads.
• To avoid pedestrian conflicts, neither motorcycles nor mopeds should be operated on blue stone walkways, greenway trails, or shared-use paths. If a moped must access a designated moped parking space by way of a sidewalk or other pedestrian egress area, the driver should dismount from the vehicle and walk from the street to the parking area.

Bicycles are considered vehicles in North Carolina, and every cyclist on the Duke campus will be subject to the provisions of NC State Statutes as well Duke's campus parking and operating policies. These policies are also applicable to bikeshare bikes.

Bicycle Parking

• When not in use, all bicycles must be locked to or stored in the vicinity of a rack. Bicycles locked to trees, handrails, signs, landscape posts and chains or other stationary items, or are abandoned on campus may be confiscated and the owner will be charged a fine and daily impound fees.

Registration

• All bicycles that are operated, parked, or stored on the campus by any employee or student should be registered with PTS. Part-time bike commuters and on-campus residents can register as such and receive a bike permit for the vehicle. Full-time bike commuters will receive a bike permit for the vehicle, as well as access to the bike commuter benefits program offerings. Registration and commuter benefits information is available at the bicycle page.

Bicycle Registration

• Bicycle permits are not transferable (either between persons or assigned bicycles).
• If a bicycle permit becomes damaged, or if the owner acquired a new bicycle, then the owner should obtain a replacement permit from PTS.
• Bicycle commuter registration expires after a 4-year term, at which point bike commuters will be asked to re-enroll to continue benefits.

Bicycle Impounding

• Any bicycle parked in an area not designated for bicycle parking, which creates a safety hazard or appears to be abandoned will be cited and removed.
• The owner of an impounded bicycle will be responsible for a bicycle removal fee of $5.00, and a daily impound storage fee of $10 per day. Daily fees are calculated from 12:01 a.m. to midnight. The maximum impound rate per bicycle per month is $250.00.

Operation of a Bicycle

• Bicyclists must adhere to traffic control devices and rules of the road applicable to motor vehicles under North Carolina state laws as prescribed in the General Statutes of North Carolina Chapter 20, Motor Vehicles.
• Duke Gardens is a dismount zone; all bicycles should be walked through the garden pathways for travel through the park area.

Motorized or electric-assist bicycles and/or tricycles must adhere to traffic control devices and rules of the road applicable to motor vehicles under North Carolina state laws as prescribed in the General Statutes of North Carolina Chapter 20, Motor Vehicles.

Operation of an Electric-Assist Bicycle or Tricycle on Campus

• Due to the potential for conflict with non-motorized bicycles and pedestrians, the motor assist on these vehicles should not be used when traveling along bicycle and pedestrian paths or trails in the campus area.

Parking an Electric-Assist Bicycle or Tricycle on Campus

• Electric-assist bicycles must follow the same rules for parking as non-assisted bicycles. Electric assist tricycles (such as an Organic Transit ELF) may park next to a bike rack as long as access to the rack is not impeded, in the corners of parking garages or other out-of-the-way locations that are do not impede building entrances, emergency exits, handicap access, or pedestrian egress. ELF operators may also park in the designated spots in the Allen Lot. If visiting Duke Gardens, ELF operators should park in a visitor pay spot. ELF operators can contact Parking & Transportation Services to consult on appropriate parking areas near other campus destinations.
• Electric-assist bicycle and tricycle drivers are encouraged to register as bicycle commuters and display a bike permit when parking on campus.

Prohibition of Indoor Skating

• Skating is prohibited in all buildings on Duke property and in all buildings leased or used by Duke.

Operating a Skateboard or Rollerblades for Transportation Purposes

• Skating that is solely for transportation purposes (e.g., between classes and residence halls and dining halls) is permissible under the following conditions:
  • Skaters must yield to all pedestrians and vehicles.
  • Skaters may not damage any property.
  • Skaters must travel at a safe speed, may not do any jumping, may not ride over steps or curbs, and must remain on smooth paved surfaces.

Enforcement

• This policy will be enforced by the Duke University Police Department

Electric scooters may be operated on the Duke University campus and must follow these regulations:

Scooter Operation

• Scooter riders must adhere to traffic control devices and rules of the road applicable to motor vehicles under North Carolina state laws as prescribed in the General Statutes of North Carolina Chapter 20, Motor Vehicles.
• Scooters must be operated on the same side of the road as vehicular traffic.
• Scooter operators must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
• Scooters may only be operated in areas where bicycle traffic is allowed.
• The East Campus Quadrangle, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Abele Quadrangle and Bryan Center Plaza and the Athletic Department campus are dismount zones..
• Scooters should operate at low speed in the presence of pedestrians and pedestrians always have the right of way.
• Scooters should slow to a stop at all speed bumps and raised pedestrian crossings.
• Scooters may only be operated between 6am-11pm.
• Scooter rides must start and end adjacent to a bicycle rack except those in the dismount zones on the Abele Quadrangle and Bryan Center Plaza, the Athletic Department campus, Sarah P. Duke Gardens and the East Campus Quadrangle.
• Scooters must be parked upright adjacent to a bicycle rack and not impede pedestrians.
• Gasoline-powered scooters may not be transported on Duke Transit buses, Duke Van Service, or Duke ADA vehicles.  Scooters that can fold up and fit under the seat of a Duke Transit vehicle and use sealed gel, lithium ion or NiCad batteries for power may be carried on a Duke Transit bus, van or ADA vehicle.
• Scooters may not be charged on campus
• Scooter availability may be dependent upon weather and other factors.

Scooter Parking

• Scooters must be parked adjacent to outdoor, uncovered bicycle racks.
• Scooters are not permitted in residence halls or other University buildings.
• Scooters may not be ridden or parked in University parking garages.

Scooter Safety

• Parking and Transportation Services strongly recommends that you wear a helmet at all times when operating a scooter.
• Scooters are meant for single riders only.
• Don’t wear earbuds when operating a scooter.