HSE Road Safety Update: E-Scooter Safety

As e-scooter use continues to grow at KAUST, we need the support of all riders to follow key safety practices—both to protect yourself and to ensure the safety of fellow road users across our community.

Pedestrian Safety

• Yield to pedestrians and ride with extreme caution especially when riding near pedestrians.
• Reduce speed when approaching crosswalks—especially at night.

Permitted and Prohibited Zones

• Permitted: Cycle lanes and KAUST roads.
• Prohibited: Inside buildings, Campus service tunnels, sidewalks, footpaths, and Discovery Square. The rules for micromobility use on the Academic Campus were previously communicated in The Lens.

Riding Behavior

• Ride in the same direction as traffic and keep to the right-hand side of the road.
• STOP at STOP signs and proceed when it is safe to do so.
• One rider per e-scooter is allowed.
• Keep emergency access and safety equipment unobstructed (e.g., fire extinguishers, AEDs).
• Always wear a certified, properly fastened helmet when riding.
• Dismount and walk across pedestrian crossings.
• Use a working white light on the front and a working red light at the rear to be visible.

Visibility and Behavior

• Ride at a slower speed when encountering unexpected situations or risks.

Parents are responsible for deciding when their child is ready to ride an e-scooter and for ensuring that safety requirements are met. To reinforce these requirements for younger riders, from January 1, 2026, all riders under the age of 16 (Hijri) must complete the HSE online road safety training course before using e-scooters on KAUST premises. To register for the course, contact hse@kaust.edu.sa.

Any member of our community who notices irresponsible use of micro-mobility devices is encouraged to report the incident immediately to the Security team for investigation by completing the Traffic Complaint form. A new function on MyGA under “Traffic Violations” has been introduced, providing a direct link to the Traffic Complaint form.

Thank you for Keeping KAUST Safe. For more information, please contact hse@kaust.edu.sa  or

read the KAUST Road Safety Code.