Texas A&M Board Threatened Micromobility Ban
Regents discussed a potential prohibition on campus following a significant spike in vehicle-related accidents.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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On Sept. 3, 2026, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents discussed a possible ban on micromobility vehicles following a surge in campus accidents. The move comes as officials grapple with a 37% increase in crashes involving the devices over the past year.
Why it matters
The proposed ban highlights growing friction between traditional campus infrastructure and the rapid adoption of electric mobility devices. Regents are concerned that existing safety measures have failed to mitigate the risk of injury for the thousands of people moving across the grounds daily.
Electric micromobility vehicle registrations reached 44% in 2026, compared to less than 4% in 2024. The university recorded 52 separate micromobility incidents last year, with approximately half of those cases resulting in injury.
The players
Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
This body governs the university system and is responsible for setting institutional policy, including safety and infrastructure regulations.
Texas A&M Transportation Services
This department manages parking, transit, and campus mobility planning for the university's large student and faculty population.
The details
Texas A&M Transportation Services continues to coordinate with campus police and traffic engineers to evaluate infrastructure, following the implementation of mandatory dismount zones in 2018. While officials weigh a potential ban, they are also examining whether a localized helmet mandate is legally feasible given that Texas lacks a statewide requirement for adult operators.
Timeline
Texas A&M implemented designated dismount zones in 2018.
Transportation Services began work on a mobility master plan in 2021.
The university mobility master plan was finalized in 2023.
The Board of Regents discussed micromobility crashes on Sept. 3, 2026.
Roadmap
The university's current evaluation of a helmet mandate highlights the regulatory gap created by the absence of Texas statewide micromobility helmet legislation. This reflects a broader trend where institutions are forced to create their own safety standards to manage the rapid rise of electric transit alternatives.
Students and faculty who rely on electric scooters may face significant changes to their daily commute if a ban is enacted. Riders should prepare for potential new requirements, such as mandatory helmet usage, or restricted access to campus zones previously open to electric devices.
The takeaway
The sharp rise in electric micromobility adoption necessitates proactive safety adaptations from both riders and institutional planners. Users should prioritize defensive riding techniques and helmet use, even in the absence of formal mandates, to reduce the likelihood of personal injury.
Further reading
For broader context on current transit trends, see Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Battalion.
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