Motorized Personal Wheels at MIT

In addition to the general PW guidelines, the following guidelines apply to motorized PWs on campus.

Personal Wheels are any personal transportation devices, with or without a motor, except medical devices designed to assist mobility.

Register your PW
Parking and storage
Safe charging

Register your motorized PW (required)

The Parking & Transportation Office is piloting a new registration process. All PWs with motors stored and/or charged on campus must be registered (including electric bikes that have been registered previously), and you can register your PW online here.

• Motorized PW registration requires verified UL certification for the following components:
• The primary PW vehicle or device (PW certification covers any integrated battery/electrical systems);
• The PW’s charging cord and/or charging assembly; and
• Any removable battery and any separate charging assembly.
• Registration is a safety measure that will help us reduce risks on campus for all members of our community.
• UL certification indicates that the PW has been tested by Underwriter Laboratories or another independent testing laboratory accredited by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and that it meets the applicable UL standard.
• During the registration process, you will review and agree to comply with MIT’s PW guidelines, including MIT’s safety procedures for charging motorized PWs on campus.
• Note that if you have already registered a non-motorized bicycle, there’s no need to re-register.
• How to find the UL-certification mark on your PW or component (you will need to enter the UL file numbers into the registration form):
• The UL file number for these systems (also called a “unique identifier”) is a capital “E” followed by six digits.
• The UL mark may be found on a black-and-white sticker or label, a holographic label, or embossed directly onto a component. On batteries and chargers, the UL mark may be one of several marks on a label, and the UL file number may be very small.
• If you are having trouble finding the UL-certification mark on your PW, try confirming certification through the manufacturer and/or by searching the UL certification database as described in the FAQ.
• Your PW may have received certification after it was released, in which case it may not bear a certification label.
• If you think your PW is not certified (or has been certified by a lab other than UL), we encourage you to complete the registration form using the “not UL certified” option.
• The information you provide will help us gain a better understanding of PW use on campus and enable us to communicate directly with all PW operators to share important information about regulation/policy changes, amenities, and safety.
• Your information will also help us identify your PW after recovering it if it has been lost or stolen.
• After you have filled out the registration form, you will receive an email notification about next steps. If your PW is certified, you’ll be given a suggested appointment to bring the PW and all charging components to the Atlas Service Center for inspection and to complete your registration.
• Parking & Transportation Office staff will verify your UL identifier numbers in person and issue a registration sticker for your PW.
• Note that if you are registering a non-motorized PW, the form gives you the option of picking up your sticker or having it mailed to you.
• If you are having difficulty completing the registration process, contact the Parking & Transportation Office for assistance.

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Park your motorized PW outside or store in your room or office
(limited exception)

Review the general parking and storage information applicable to all PWs. Park your PW outside at a rack, avoid obstructing entrances, stairways, and pathways, and do not attach it to trees, artwork, benches, or railings. Some racks are located under overhangs or in breezeways, including those outside Buildings 3, 26, and 39.

• Only registered, UL-certified motorized PWs are allowed indoors, and they are only allowed to be stored in the owner’s residential room or personal office.
• To reach your room or office, you must walk your PW and follow the most direct route. Don’t leave the PW in a classroom, group space, public space, or common area at any time, even temporarily.
• Do not park or store a motorized PW in the path of direct sunlight.
• Note that motorized PWs are not allowed to be parked or stored in a parking structure or indoor PW/bike storage area.

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Charge a registered motorized PW on campus safely
(follow required procedures)

The lithium-ion batteries in PWs have been associated with extremely hot fires, the release of toxic gases, and even explosions, events that are usually due to charging issues. Injuries from PWs are rising rapidly, and more than 230 PW-related deaths occurred between 2017 and 2022.

For these reasons, PW charging is not allowed on the MIT campus with the exception of UL-certified PWs that are registered with the Parking & Transportation Office and are only charged in accordance with the following safety precautions, provided by the CPSC and the National Fire Protection Association:

• The PW and each component of its charging equipment (including the charger cord and/or any separate battery and/or charging assembly) must bear a UL certification mark demonstrating compliance with the applicable UL standard and/or must be listed in the UL database of certifications.
• When charging the PW or removable battery, use only the UL-certified charging equipment sold with the original PW or battery (or UL-certified replacement equipment designed specifically by the manufacturer as an approved replacement part). In addition:
• Ensure that no flammable or combustible materials are near the charging equipment.
• Inspect any separate battery for any defects (such as dents or swelling) before charging it, and don’t use or charge it if these conditions exist. Always inspect the battery prior to use, even when fully charged.
• Don’t use an extension cord while charging the PW or battery.
• Don’t leave a PW or battery unattended while it is charging, and don’t charge any PW or battery overnight. Check the PW or battery regularly for overheating, and stop charging immediately if the PW or battery is hot to the touch.
• Don’t overcharge the PW or battery; disconnect the PW or battery if the device is fully charged.
• Don’t charge more than one PW or battery on a circuit at one time.
• Don’t charge the PW or battery in direct sunlight.
• The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services provides tips for safely using lithium-ion batteries.

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Stay safe – and help keep others safe, too.

Any PW that is operated, parked, stored, or charging in an unsafe manner in disregard of MIT’s guidelines is subject to removal by the MIT Police and/or a representative from the Parking & Transportation Office. MIT (including MIT Police and the Parking & Transportation Office) is not responsible for any alleged damage to or missing accessories/equipment from an impounded PW.